Avani Hotels Encourages Kiwis to Rediscover Auckland

• Only 15% of New Zealanders have recently visited Auckland on holiday

• Nearly a third of Kiwis visiting Auckland have spent just one night in the city

• Only 13% of Kiwis place Auckland in their top three New Zealand destinations

• AVANI Hotels & Resorts encourage visitors to Auckland to explore the city and “live like a local”

AUCKLAND, 30TH NOVEMBER. Research just released has shown that while our nation’s largest city receives nearly a third of the country’s tourism spend , Kiwis aren’t taking full advantage of the city as a destination.

Despite nearly 40% of Kiwis having visited Auckland in the last year, only 13% of Kiwis would place Auckland in their top three New Zealand destinations, leaving it in eighth place, tailing behind tourist hotspots Northland and Coromandel, as well as the cities of Wellington and Nelson.

Research results suggest that Auckland is not seen as a leisure destination, with only 15% of New Zealanders having visited the city for a holiday or weekend break on their most recent trip, with most attributing their stays to visiting friends or family (35%), attending an event (30%), or passing through on the way to somewhere else (12%).

AVANI Hotels & Resorts, which commissioned the research is encouraging Kiwis to think again, and experience the undiscovered side of Auckland. To celebrate the launch of its first New Zealand hotel; The AVANI Metropolis Auckland Residences, AVANI will be encouraging its guests to explore the city via #KEYSTOTHECITY.

Fronted by lifestyle expert, blogger, and Auckland local Makaia Carr, #KEYSTOTHECITY offers guests staying at the hotel insider knowledge on all of the city’s hottest places to visit and off-the-beaten track spots, connecting them directly with locals via Facebook Messenger in a world first. With over half of Kiwis finding Auckland difficult to get around, AVANI hopes to make things easier, with #KEYSTOTHECITY acting as a virtual guide – at guests’ fingertips 24 hours a day.

Kira Klein, General Manager Marketing at AVANI Hotels & Resorts commented, “at AVANI we believe guests should be able to live like a local. Auckland is a great destination for a city break, offering everything from beaches to hiking, great shopping, and a world class food scene, so we’re excited to be helping our guests unlock these experiences, encouraging them to live like locals and discover all of the great things the city has to offer.”

Nearly a third of Kiwis visiting Auckland spend just one night in the city, which suggests visitors aren’t getting out and exploring everything the city has to offer. Despite its renowned West Coast surf beaches and crystal clear waters on the East Coast, just 6% of Kiwis rate Auckland as having New Zealand’s best beaches, and despite the lush waterfalls and trails of the Waitakere Ranges, only 2% of Kiwis associate Auckland with nature. Even with Waiheke Island on the doorstep, Auckland’s wine culture is underappreciated, with only 3% citing Auckland’s wine as their first choice.

Perhaps it is unsurprising that Auckland is underrated when you consider that nature , outdoor activities , and beaches are New Zealanders’ top priority when selecting a holiday destination; not features which are automatically associated with a big city. Makaia Carr, ambassador for #KEYSTOTHECITY wants to dispel this myth; “while Auckland has all of the great benefits of being a big city, from world class food, to culture and shopping, there’s so much more to it. Being outdoors is one of my favourite things, and Auckland has so much to offer here – from hiking in the Waitakere Ranges, to surfing out at Piha, or swimming the white sand beaches, you really can experience the best of both worlds here. I’m excited to be working with AVANI to encourage Kiwis to take a second look at Auckland and get out and explore this great city!”

WEBSITE: www.avanihotels.com

ADDRESS: 40 Kitchener Street Auckland 1010 New Zealand

RESERVATIONS: 0800 528 008. Room rates starting from $199

ENDS

About AVANI Hotels & Resorts

AVANI Hotels & Resorts is the vibrant upscale brand from Minor Hotels. Offering relaxed comfort and contemporary style in city and resort destinations, AVANI was launched in response to an increasingly influential group of discerning travellers who appreciate stylish design and excellent service, but also demand great value. The brand currently has 20 properties in operation in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Seychelles, Mozambique, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia, the United Arab Emirates, Portugal and New Zealand, with a pipeline of further openings in Australia, Asia and the Middle East. MH has plans to grow the brand across Asia, the Indian Ocean and the Middle East.

https://www.minorhotels.com/en/avani/metropolis-auckland

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