Take Time To See Your Own Back-Yard With Thrifty

Media release for immediate use 22 September 2010

Take Time To See Your Own Back-Yard With Thrifty

New Zealand car rental company Thrifty has announced it is giving away a great kiwi weekend road-trip for four in support of AA Tourism’s Great Kiwi Road Trips campaign. 28 of Thrifty’s nationwide locations have been named as official ‘Great Kiwi Road Trip Pit-stops’ for the campaign encouraging Kiwis to explore their own backyard.

Thrifty’s National Sales and Marketing Manager Mike Dawe says the company is delighted to be involved with an initiative that encourages kiwis to travel domestically.

“The Great Kiwi Road Trip campaign is a brilliant initiative aimed at inspiring New Zealanders to take to the roads and explore this fantastic country we call home. New Zealand has so much to offer so it is no coincidence tourism is one of the biggest contributors to our economy.

“It is time for us to take heed of what the rest of the world already knows so we are calling on all Kiwi’s to consider boosting our own economy before they book expensive overseas holidays.

“Why not skip all of the hassle of exchanging currency, waiting around in international airports, learning a new language, driving on the other side of the road, paying for expensive hotels and tipping. Why not check out your own back yard? With the warmer weather approaching now is the time to jump into a Thrifty rental car and head out to the furthest reaches of the country to explore a place you have never been,” he says.

AA Tourism has created 23 unique New Zealand road trips, each with suggested Great Kiwi Road Trip Pit-stops, a proposed itinerary and free travel map; as well as in- car games for the kids. Code words can be collected at any of Thrifty’s ‘Pit-stops’, and other ‘Pit-stops’ around New Zealand, and used to enter a competition to win one of two Mazda2 cars. There are also weekly prize packs including accommodation vouchers, Thrifty car rentals and other goodies to get you started on your road trip.

Mike Dawe says Thrifty is doing everything it can to help make it easier for Kiwis to hit the roads this summer.

“As well as offering an unmatched level of service at Thrifty, we also have some amazing deals to give you a push-start. During the Great Kiwi Road Trips campaign we are offering ‘2 for 1’ weekends which give customers one day’s free hire to see how much exploring they can squeeze into a weekend.

“If you have your sights set on covering a few more kilometers we are giving customers two free rental days when they book a car for five days. Our experienced team also has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to road tripping. They can point out some of the unique spots to visit that you may not have heard about and share some useful tips to help you enjoy your trip even more,” he says.

By getting on the road with Thrifty to see the sights and sounds of New Zealand during the Great Kiwi Road Trips campaign, travelers can also go into the draw to win a Great Kiwi Road Trip for four from Thrifty and weekly prize packs and two Mazda2 with the AA.

AA Tourism CEO Peter Blackwell says he is pleased companies such as Thrifty recognise New Zealanders continue to under-invest in its domestic tourism market.

“Kiwis are too quick to head off-shore so someone has to step forward and take the lead in supporting our domestic operators – they are the bedrock of our tourism industry. AA Tourism is more than happy to organise another domestic tourism campaign to do just that.

We are delighted that Thrifty and several other like-minded Kiwi businesses have joined us.

“So jump in a car Kiwis and head off on a great New Zealand tourism adventure. It’s time to rediscover what makes our country special,” he says.

For itineraries, traveling tips and everything else you need to know about road tripping in New Zealand, visit www.greatkiwiroadtrips.co.nz.

To get your trip underway and get on the road with Thrifty visit www.thrifty.co.nz.

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