Nomad Safaris pride themselves on showcasing the real New Zealand high country and history around the Southern Lakes region.

Based in Queenstown, they offer 4WD, ATV/UTV and e-bike tours around the area.

Their aim is for customer immersion in the environment to feel connected with the land, the people and their spirit.

12 November 2018

New Communications Manager joins Destination Wairarapa

Destination Wairarapa, the regional tourism organisation, has appointed journalist Sara Bunny to the position of Media Communications & Content Generation.

As an escapee from the Auckland rat race, it was the relaxed lifestyle, personal opportunities and exciting growth of the Wairarapa that attracted Sara and her partner to the area. “As part of my role as the media communications go-to at Destination Wairarapa, I’m really looking forward to continuing to strengthen tourism by promoting the unique stories of the region”.

A trained journalist, with a background that includes writing travel, lifestyle, health and current affairs features for the New Zealand Herald, Next magazine, and the Australian Women’s Weekly, Sara has also worked in copywriting, pr, web writing and social media management. Alongside a range of experience, she has a thorough list of key journalism contacts to bring to the table, and an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the New Zealand media landscape.

Media coverage of the region achieved by the RTO has been one of the factors which has seen sustained high percentage growth in Wairarapa’s tourism spend and visitor nights. Sara is looking forward to being a part of this dynamic region’s continued success.

DETAILS:

Sara Bunny Media Communications & Content Generation can be reached on +64 277 770 476

sarab@wairarapanz.com   www.wairarapanz.com

ENDS

Capstone is an innovative Hotel Management and Tourism Sales & Distribution company that has over 40 years’ experience and the operational knowledge to manage or represent your hotel or tourism business.

Traditional management companies focus on brand awareness and reputation, at Capstone we also focus on service standards and profitability. We are proudly 100% New Zealand owned and operated, managing and representing hotels, resorts and tourism businesses throughout New Zealand. Our undertaking and core value is to provide quality, profit focused, transparent business accountability which maintains a focus on your hotels brand at all times.
Full Management services for your Hotel or Resort

Our hotel management team will take over the daily management of your hotel operations and ensure we develop a profitable strategic approach to building your business and your hotel brand for the long term.

Getting the best from a property and growing a long term successful operation takes an honest partnership between owners and management. We have owned and operated hotels and wider tourism ventures, so understanding this key to success is ingrained in our approach to business.

Wednesday, 14 November 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Enquiries: marketing@wairakei.co.nz

Big Changes for Two of New Zealand’s Most Iconic Hotels

Recent appointments of a new General Manager and the creation of a Director of Sales and Marketing role for the hotels will ensure that big changes are on the horizon for two of New Zealand’s most iconic hotels, Chateau Tongariro Hotel and Wairakei Resort Taupo.

David Stavert joins Bayview Hotels New Zealand (Wairakei Resort Taupo and Chateau Tongariro Hotel) as the newly appointed General Manager, replacing Kathy Guy who retired earlier this month after almost two decades in the role.

Stavert first started with Bayview in 1995, has worked for both properties and was Executive Assistant Manager for Wairakei Resort when he left in 2011 to take up the General Manager role for sister property The Sydney Boulevard Hotel.

“I am excited to be coming home as general manager of these two hotels that I know so well,” says Stavert. “They are such unique properties with so many strengths. I look forward to bringing my operational background and experience to this position to continue to build upon the legacy of these heritage properties.”

Mr Stavert is also looking forward to working with the local communities of Taupo and the Ruapehu region.

“During my time at the Sydney Boulevard Hotel my passion for community and charity was a significant part of our ethos. I plan on bringing this same commitment with me and making a real impact within our local communities.”

Lee Watkins also joins the team as the Director of Sales and Marketing for Wairakei Resort Taupo and Chateau Tongariro. Lee brings over 23 years’ industry experience and has had roles with Accor Hotels and Stamford Plaza, worked in destination tourism sales for Auckland Convention Bureau, and recently looked after event sales for Tongariro Lodge.

“I am delighted and privileged to be leading the sales and marketing team for two of New Zealand’s most iconic hotels. Like Dave, I too return to Bayview Hotels after holding my first job in hospitality as a receptionist at The Grand Chateau 20 years ago. I look forward to bringing my experience to the team and working with them in creating memorable experiences for our guests, outstanding conferences and events, and all with the exceptional and warm hospitality our hotels have offered for many years.’’

Both Dave and Lee look forward to continuing their careers with Bayview and promoting two of New Zealand’s most iconic hotels and resorts into the future.

– Ends –

November 8 2018

Cash injection for Queenstown’s volunteer fire service

One of the country’s busiest volunteer fire fighting services has received a welcome $8000 cash injection.

Thanks to a month-long fundraising campaign by Queenstown tourism company Ziptrek Ecotours, Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade members will be zipping off to Auckland for essential ‘hot fire’ training.

Queenstown’s fire brigade has on average 50 volunteers responding to approximately 400 call-outs per year, and the pressure to respond to serious motor vehicle accidents and special rescues keeps on rising.

Fire Brigade Chief Andrew Bary said he’s thankful to the 320 locals who ‘took to the trees’ over the month of ‘Ziptober’ to help raise the much-needed cash.

“We’re genuinely blown away by the donation and recognition from the community for the work we do,” he said.

“We have one of the biggest volunteer brigades in the country and we see merit in providing additional specialist training to our members, so we can better serve the community.

“The money raised is enough to send eight volunteers to participate in ‘hot fire’ training which teaches practical hands-on experience for dealing with live fire.

“Our brigade will face up to 600-degree temperatures while wearing and operating breathing apparatus to better understand how fires evolve and spread from different materials.”

Ziptrek Ecotours prides itself on supporting its local community, having raised over $73K since opening in 2009. For the first time in nine years, the company extended its popular fundraiser from a local’s day to a whole fundraising month.

Director Trent Yeo said it was humbling to watch Queenstowners get behind its hero firefighters.

“The volunteer service plays a vital role in our community and it’s important to recognise that with growth comes challenges for frontline staff,” he said.

“These volunteers are often first on the scene for car crashes, fires or medical emergencies and it’s important they obtain sufficient funding to keep offering this amazing service.

“We’d be lost without them.”

Throughout October, locals reconnected with their inner child to enjoy $50 trips on Ziptrek’s Kea 6-line, Moa 4-line and Kereru tours, with 50% of proceeds going to the fire service.

For further media information please contact:

Southern PR
Laura Nicol
E: laura@southernpr.co.nz
M: 027 471 7255

Tuesday 6 November 2018

For immediate release

Tourism Strategy change of direction long overdue

The Government’s draft tourism strategy that opened for consultation today is long overdue and a much-needed change in direction from purely increasing visitor numbers to something more suited to managing the high number of visitors we experience today, says the Tourism Export Council New Zealand (TECNZ).

Judy Chen, Chief Executive for TECNZ says, “We welcome today’s announcement and our members have been saying for some time that our tourism policy settings were no longer fit for purpose for the tourism environment we now operate in. Where once it was purely about the number of visitors we could attract to our shores, it’s now about how we manage those numbers sustainably in a way that enhances the visitor experience, protects our landscapes but also spreads the benefits of tourism to more regions and New Zealanders.”

The Government’s tourism strategy was launched in Wellington this morning, with the topline aspiration to; ‘Enrich New Zealand through sustainable tourism growth’. This was underpinned by three goals; Productive Growth, Sustainable Growth and Inclusive Growth. The strategy also set out how the government will work with the tourism sector, iwi, local government, communities and other stakeholders to take advantage of the opportunities associated with both international and domestic visitor growth and to manage the impact of this growth.

“The industry hasn’t been sitting on its hands waiting for the Government to come up with a new strategy and many TECNZ members already actively work in the sustainability, productivity and inclusiveness space as they know they have to protect what makes New Zealand an iconic visitor destination. Done well, this strategy will set out the framework and direction for the next chapter in New Zealand’s tourism story.”

“We know that tourism has grown faster than many communities can cope with and this has put unplanned strain on local infrastructure with the locals often the ones paying for new carparks or public toilets through their rates. The Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF) goes some way to addressing these needs and we would not want to see this fund phased out when the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) is introduced mid next year. These considerations all form part of the conversations that need to be had during the Tourism Strategy’s public consultation.

“The IVL will add another $35 per person onto a trip to New Zealand. We are already a relatively expensive country to visit and becoming more so when you consider other factors like increasing petrol prices. Visitors are not immune to these increases when you think about them filling their rental cars or motorhomes, or even through increased tour charges as operators try to recoup some of these costs.”

“If the new Tourism Strategy achieves what it has set out to, we will be heading in the right direction to find the balance between more New Zealanders benefitting from tourism and, the country continuing to provide a unique visitor experience that is well worth the money spent to visit here.”

About the Tourism Export Council of New Zealand:

The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ) is a trade association that represents the interests of the inbound tourism industry. Its membership includes inbound tour operators (Inbound Members) and attraction, activity, accommodation, transport suppliers, regional tourism organisations and tourism services providers (Allied Members). TECNZ members collectively handle most of New Zealand’s international visitor arrivals. www.tourismexportcouncil.org.nz.

For more information please contact:
Judy Chen
CEO – Tourism Export Council of NZ
027 6644 836

A new company dedicated to assisting the NZ tourism industry with its current and future skills and talent shortage is being launch this month. Tourism Talent has been established by Jason Hill (formerly of ATEED and Tourism NZ), and Dylan Rushbrook, (formerly of SKYCITY and Heritage & CityLife Hotels) who have joined forces with Nuwanthie Samarakone, CEO of ICE, a talent development agency with offices in Auckland, Asia and Europe.

The new business will cover a range of services over time and is a talent development and talent connection marketplace specifically for the tourism sector.

The New Zealand tourism industry is facing a critical skills shortage according to Tourism Industry Aotearoa and will need to fill up to 47,000 tourism roles by 2025 to meet the anticipated demand.

Hill saw a gap in the market to create an online platform connecting tourism businesses, to experienced professionals, or up and coming talent who have studied tourism. Samarakone and Rushbrook bought their experiences and networks to the team and the result is a company that will offer executive recruitment, hospitality temping services, an online “gig” marketplace, and an online mentoring platform full of video content for free.

“From the original concept, we have now created a one stop shop for the tourism industry to attract and find future talent” says Hill. “From career pathways, tips and tricks via our ‘digital’ mentors, right up to placing the senior leaders of the tourism industry, there isn’t a part of the talent development process we won’t be covering”

Developing the ‘gig’ connect platform requires investment in development and will not be available from launch. Once ready, the platform will connect New Zealanders with relevant skills and experiences, but who may not have the ability to work full time, into tourism businesses who want part time roles, maternity cover, projects and the like, and start moving to a new way of working and thinking about talent deployment.

Samarakone has built successful and trusted talent development business in key international markets and she doesn’t just put any candidate into a role. Samarakone says “It needs to be the right fit for both parties and clear development plans laid out from the start. You get that by understanding your clients’ needs and finding the best talent that fits that culture. We want to help candidates into roles they will love and help organisations get the best from all their talent.”

Rushbrook, who will drive the business in the early stages as Managing Director, brought the concept of developing a library of ‘digital’ mentors, who share their knowledge, tips and experience for anyone wanting to know more about a career in the tourism industry. He says “we know the education system is failing the country’s largest export earner by not understanding what a tourism career can be. We are determined to work with the sector and education providers to raise awareness of what incredible careers await those willing to put in some hard work.”

“Early feedback and conceptual support for Tourism Talent from tertiary providers and industry leaders so far has been very encouraging” says Rushbrook.

Tourism Talent will be officially launched in November 2018.

ENDS
For more information please contact;
Dylan Rushbrook
0212850625
dylan@synergytourism.co.nz

Bios

Dylan Rushbrook, Managing Director of Tourism Talent, Director of Synergy Tourism Consulting
Over 20 year’s experience in tourism and hospitality operations, including senior roles with Scenic Hotel Group, SKYCITY Entertainment Group and Heritage and CityLife Hotels. A founding board member of the Young Tourism Export Council of New Zealand and chair for two years during which time he pushed for tourism to be recognized as a professional career. Dylan is currently a board member of Tourism Export Council of New Zealand.

Jason Hill, Director Tourism Talent, Managing Partner at Tourism Investment Partners, Managing Director Meneth Consulting Over 25 year’s experience in the New Zealand and Japanese tourism industry across marketing, management and governance in the private and public sectors, including senior roles at Auckland Tourism, Events, and Economic Development, Tourism New Zealand, and Christchurch Tourism. Fluent in Japanese and extensive travel and work experience across Asia. Jason also sits on multiple advisory boards assisting organisations achieve quality governance.
Nuwanthie Samarakone, Director of Tourism Talent, CEO of ICE
Over 10 year’s experience in recruitment and talent development. Nuwanthie’s company ICE operates offices in New Zealand, United Kingdom, Singapore and Sri Lanka. The focus is on early talent identification and development, matching the right talent with the right role. Nuwanthie sits on multiple advisory boards assisting government, tertiary education providers and commercial businesses understand how to work with the changing workforce.

ANZCRO is part of the expanding Guthrey Tourism Group and has been in business for over 20 years. ANZCRO specialises in creating custom itineraries for FIT and group travel to New Zealand.

We offer comprehensive range of NZ products including transport, accommodation, sightseeing, driver guides and Skiing backed up with on the ground support.

With our experienced, multi lingual knowledgeable team using OZONE our in-house reservation system, we can design the best itinerary to suit your clients needs and budget. Whether its a student group or Honeymooners staying at the finest Lodges we have all the elements to make their New Zealand trip a memorable one.

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