Tourism operators are welcoming a proposed tourism levy but say they’re concerned visitors could end up paying multiple times to go on the Department of Conservation (DOC) land.
In a submission to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ) says the proposed International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy is welcomed, as local Councils and by default ratepayers can’t continue to foot the bill for tourism infrastructure when tourism demand outstrips the day to day needs of local communities.
TECNZ Chief Executive Judy Chen said, “The projected $57M – $80M raised needs to be reinvested back into tourism across infrastructure and conservation initiatives and transparency in spending is important.”
There is also concern that visitors could be hit with multiple fees for conservation, first through the Visitor Levy and then when visiting DOC estates through commercial operators who already pay a concession accessing the area.
“Paying to access the conservation estate is nothing new. Tourism operators have paid a concession to DOC for years and these costs are passed to the visitor. This new levy effectively means our visitors will be paying twice or more dependent on the type of holiday they choose and how often they access commercial tourism activities on conservation land.”
“Current DOC concessions have targeted group visitors for many years and the new Visitor Levy will further disadvantage visitors travelling in groups. Should the levy go ahead we would like to see a review of the current concessions paid by tour and coach operators to ensure that visitor contribution across the board is equitable.
We have also seen some significant increases in operator concessions recently as DOC has a monopoly in the areas they operate and solely determines the ‘market rate’.
New Zealand is already considered a relatively expensive holiday destination. Our members are concerned that multiple costs imposed on visitors may deter them from enjoying as many of the great tourism sights and activities we have to offer.”
TECNZ has also queried why Australian and Pacific Island visitors will be exempt from paying the levy.
“Almost 1.5 million Australians visited New Zealand in the year to May 2018 which is around half of our international visitors”, Ms Chen said. “This is a significant number of international visitors not having to pay the levy who will still be accessing the same tourism attractions and facilities as those who have paid.”
“Our members feel these exemptions, particularly for the Australian market, leaves a large sum of collectible visitor levy money on the table – around $37.5M if the levy was set at the lowest amount of $25 per person.”
“TECNZ members are supportive of the Visitor Levy, but we need to make sure it is being collected from all international visitors and that they aren’t paying multiple times or unfairly for the same product, in this case that product being the conservation estate.”
ENDS
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
0276644836
Rachael Shadbolt
Communications Adviser
Brightside Collective
021 679 664
The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ) has launched a new Health & Safety (H&S) online checklist to improve the efficiency of H&S data collection, storage, and distribution for all New Zealand tourism operators.
TECNZ has partnered with the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) on this initiative. This is an essential tool for New Zealand travel suppliers especially working in the UK, European, and the US markets. European Union legislation requires European travel wholesalers to ensure that all suppliers participating in their travel programs have implemented satisfactory H&S standards. Up until now, data collection has been time consuming and inefficient due to the need to often replicate the same request multiple times for several users.
“The online checklist will be a fantastic resource to use as a ‘one stop-shop’ for collecting and distributing H&S information, benefiting both our tourism suppliers and inbound tour operators” says Judy Chen TECNZ CEO. “Health & Safety compliance is crucial to the success of all tourism businesses and we encourage suppliers to get behind this initiative to allow easy access to this vital information”.
For further Information, subscription cost, and sign up, please visit the TECNZ website.
ENDS
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
Tourism Export Council of New Zealand
027 66 44 836
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Media release: 11 July 2018
InterCity Group continues Aussie expansion with new acquisition
New Zealand tourism and transport company InterCity Group has today announced the expansion of its Australian portfolio with the purchase of a second Far North Queensland dive cruise business, Divers Den.
Divers Den is a significant tourism operator in North Queensland, offering day dive and overnight cruise options out of Cairns and Port Douglas, as well as an internationally recognised 5 Star PADI accredited dive training centre.
InterCity Group made its first foray into the Australian market in January this year, investing in TUSA Group’s three cruise products and an information centre.
InterCity Group CEO John Thorburn says he’s excited to be adding Divers Den to InterCity Group’s range of tourism brands.
“We’re very impressed with the work the Divers Den team are doing, and the opportunities for growth in Cairns,” he says.
Divers Den founder and CEO Tony Physick says he’s confident Divers Den will have a bright future with InterCity Group.
“Divers Den was established in 1974 and I’m proud of the growth and success we’ve achieved and the fantastic team we’ve assembled,” he says.
“I’m confident I’m leaving it in safe hands with an experienced tourism business.”
Thorburn says InterCity Group is positive about future opportunities for the company, including the development of new products and integrating the Divers Den experiences into the company’s worldwide sales channels.
InterCity Group’s New Zealand products include the InterCity bus network, GreatSights, Gray Line and awesomeNZ nationwide sightseeing day tours, Fullers GreatSights cruises and tours in the Bay of Islands and Auckland Explorer Bus hop on hop off tours.
ENDS
Contact
Daniel Rode
General Manager – Digital and Brand
0274 913 530
Further information
- InterCity Group incorporates the passenger transport and sightseeing tourism networks of InterCity, GreatSights, Fullers GreatSights, Gray Line and awesomeNZ.com, and carries over 2 million passengers per annum. For more information please visit www.intercitygroup.co.nz
- Divers Den was established in 1974 and since 1983 has been owned and operated by New Zealand-born Tony Physick. Products include:
- Great Barrier Reef snorkel and dive day trips from Cairns on board ReefQuest and SeaQuest
- Great Barrier Reef snorkel and dive day trips from Port Douglas on board AquaQuest
- Overnight and multi-day liveaboard snorkel and dive trips on the Outer Barrier Reef on board OceanQuest
- 5-star PADI accredited SCUBA dive courses at the Divers Den dive training centre in Cairns
Amy Cooper
Marketing Communications Manager
P +64 9 583 5757 M 027 238 5190
InterCity Group (NZ) Ltd, Level 2, Building C, The Millennium Centre, 602 Great South Road, Greenlane, Auckland. PO Box 26-601 Epsom
THE HOTEL BRITOMART TO OPEN IN 2020 WITH 10 FLOORS AND 99 ROOMS
2 July 2018 An elegant new lifestyle hotel is coming to Auckland’s most vibrant urban neighbourhood, Britomart. The vision of Cooper and Company, who originally developed the precinct, The Hotel Britomart will be managed by international hoteliers TFE Hotels.
Construction began this week on the building, whose design and interiors were created by Cheshire Architects. Guests will step off a cobbled laneway into a café-style lobby space full of light and life. The hotel will have 99 rooms and five suites offering some of the city’s most refined accommodation. Three of these will boast generous outdoor sky gardens.
Britomart is a sought-after lifestyle precinct known for charming renovated dockside warehouses, sleek new architectural buildings, brick laneways filled with lively bars and a sunny square lined with leading restaurants and boutiques. It is above the city’s busiest public transport hub.
Located on the corner of Gore and Galway streets, the project will include the refurbishment and restoration of the adjoining Masonic and Buckland heritage buildings.
TFE Hotels, headquartered in Sydney, has been appointed as operator and manager of the hotel under the TFE Collections brand. This is a portfolio of unique and beautiful discovery hotels in Australia and New Zealand that have a sense of story, place and purpose.
TFE Hotels Chairman Allan Vidor said the hotel was perfectly placed in New Zealand’s biggest city and marked an expansion plan for TFE Hotels across the country.
“Britomart is New Zealand’s most sought-after premium lifestyle precinct – all that has been missing is a sophisticated top-tier hotel,” Mr Vidor said. “This development, created by the team that created Britomart itself, completes the picture. Its welcoming interiors and warm service offering will allow guests to feel a deep sense of connection, both within the hotel spaces, and also to this special precinct.”
Cooper and Company CEO Matthew Cockram said The Hotel Britomart was an exciting new venture for the group and the start of a new phase of evolution for the precinct.
“It allows us to take the appeal and vibrancy of Britomart as the heart of the CBD neighbourhood to a more intense and concentrated level by having people to stay,” he said. “Guests will delight in the exquisitely designed rooms and spaces. The Hotel Britomart’s discreet central location will provide easy access to the amenities and wide range of food, beverage and retail offerings of the Britomart precinct.”
Cheshire Architects’ Nat Chesire and Dajaiang Tai have created a 10-floor design with a distinctive brick exterior that will be punctuated by an irregular constellation of windows.
Mr Cheshire said: “Britomart has always been a place that confidently collides and enmeshes past and future. The Hotel Britomart is a contemporary building, but the handmade qualities of its brick exterior are in intimate conversation with its heritage neighbours. The project also allows us to reach into the heart of the city block and open up intimate new laneways and a tiny cobbled square, which will enrich the streetscape and the future of Britomart. For us, this is as exciting as the hotel itself.”
The hotel’s five “Landing Suites” were designed in collaboration with Seattle’s Lucas Design Associates. The name is a reference to Cooper and Company’s vineyard and luxury residence, The Landing, in the Bay of Islands.
“Our experience in providing luxury accommodation and hospitality at The Landing in the Bay of Islands made us want to create a city hotel that expresses all the values of the Britomart precinct,” said Cooper and Company executive chairman Peter Cooper. “Britomart is a crossroads at the heart of downtown waterfront Auckland, and the hotel is another important step in enabling us to welcome people from everywhere and make them feel at home here.”
In addition to the lobby, The Hotel Britomart’s ground floor will be occupied by retail outlets and food and beverage offerings. The new hotel will be separated from the adjacent heritage buildings by a laneway that will lead to the hotel’s main entrance and also form a new connection with Customs Street through the Masonic Building. Cooper and Company is working with Auckland Council and Auckland Transport to transform Galway Street into a shared space during the hotel construction process, making the Britomart precinct an even more welcoming environment for pedestrians.
Bookings will open in late 2019 for opening in early 2020. The building is targeting a 5-star Green rating that is part of a wider commitment to sustainabilty throughout the Britomart precinct.
ABOUT COOPER & COMPANY
Cooper and Company is a private investment company, established in 1989, it develops and owns mixed-use communities in the United States and New Zealand. Their approach is characterized by an emphasis on culture, community and environment and a long term, sustainable approach to planning. In New Zealand Cooper and Company owns and manages The Landing and Britomart. Britomart is a large-scale urban renewal and heritage restoration project in Auckland’s CBD, now a vibrant shopping, entertainment and business precinct. The Landing is a thousand acres of farmland, coast, native bush, wildlife reserves and heritage sites in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands, home of luxury accommodation experience The Landing Residences and boutique vineyard, The Landing Wines.
ABOUT TFE HOTELS
TFE Hotels, headquartered in Australia, is an international hotel group operating in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Denmark and Hungary. TOGA Far East Hotels (TFE Hotels) was established in 2013 as a joint venture, bringing together two long established businesses, The TOGA Group’s TOGA Hotels, and the hospitality arm of Singapore’s Far East Orchard Limited, controlled by the privately owned Far East Organisation.
With the property development and real estate ownership DNA of both groups, TFE Hotels has earned its reputation as the “developer’s hotelier” and “owners’ operator” with an end-to-end hotel design, development and management capability. Today, TFE Hotels comprises 72 hotels with 10,000 keys in Australia, New Zealand and Europe under six brands, with more than 30 more hotel projects under various stages of development.
- Adina Apartment Hotels in 34 locations in Australia, New Zealand and Europe.
Other locations coming soon include Sydney, Melbourne, Fremantle, Canberra and Munich.
- Vibe Hotels in 9 locations in Australia.
Other locations coming soon include Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Hobart.
- Travelodge Hotels in 18 locations in Australia and New Zealand.
Other locations coming soon include Auckland.
- Rendezvous Hotels in 6 locations in Australia and New Zealand.
- TFE Hotels Collection include Hotel Kurrajong Canberra and Gambaro Hotel Brisbane Australia.
Other locations coming soon include The Calile Hotel Brisbane and Hotel Britomart, Auckland.
www.TFEhotels.com
Social Media: @tfehotels
PRESS CONTACTS:
FRANK PR
(02) 8202 0555
TFE HOTELS
Natasha Granath
PR, Communications & Content Manager
+61 2 9356 1048
COOPER AND COMPANY
Sarah Hull
+64 (0)21 240 1133
Explore Fiordland National Park far from the crowds found elsewhere. Journey from the glistening lakefront in Te Anau to the quiet banks of the Waiau River, travelling the waters as far as the deserted shores of Lake Manapouri. Experience a hidden world framed by solemn mountains and wild forest, steeped in natural beauty and history. Discover a remote area accessible only by Jet Boat with the added fun of high speeds and spins these machines are famous for around the world!
Pause in otherworldly yet familiar places, made famous by scenes in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings; disembark and explore the native bush beyond the beach; lose track of time listening to the rare birdlife, spotting the Rainbow and Brown Trout in crystal clear waters and breathing in the ancient beech forest when your guide quiets the engine for a spell to let the current take over.
This is an escape, a journey as well as a joyride, to be enjoyed by young and old alike – both the nature lovers and adventure seekers among us.
The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ) is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2018 “Operator of the Year” awards.
These awards recognise members’ value in the tourism chain and it is great to see the industry get behind this initiative and nominate their peers for doing good business.
Judy Chen, TECNZ CEO says ‘’these operators have all been recognised as delivering an exceptional tourism product for visitors. The TECNZ board has initially judged them on innovation, marketing, business operation, communications, accessibility and industry relationships and I am very happy with the results.’’
Inbound Operator of the Year finalists are:
- General Travel
- Haka Tourism Group
- Naturally New Zealand Holidays
Allied Operator of the Year finalists are:
- Forgotten World Adventures
- Scenic Hotel Group
- Te Puia
Small Business Operator of the Year finalists are:
- Ecozip Adventures
- OGO Rotorua
- Tongariro River Rafting
General voting will now go out to all members and the winners of each category will be announced at the Tourism Export Council Conference Awards dinner on Wednesday 8 August at Craggy Range Winery in the Hawke’s Bay.
ENDS
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
Tourism Export Council of New Zealand
027 6644836
EVENT Hospitality and Entertainment NZ (EVT) has welcomed newly appointed Tracy Martin to the position of National Director of Sales for EVENT Hotels and Resorts New Zealand and Director of Sales & Marketing for Rydges Wellington.
Martin is thrilled to be a part of the EVT family, being attracted by the authentic and progressive nature of the company.
“It’s an incredibly exciting time to join the multi-faceted Event Hospitality family. The company’s flexible, creative approach to this dynamic industry is novel and it’s my privilege to head up such a talented team, be immersed in stimulating brands and promote the exciting expansion plans.”
Martin further adds, “my passion was further ignited by genuine pride, dedication and contentment of the employees. From the imaginative restaurant concepts unrivalled by other hotels to the warm, friendly service, their culture and working style is truly genuine and authentic.”
Martin joins EVT with an impressive resume with over 30 years of travel sales experience.
Having worked for several companies including Protea Hotels, Southern Sun, Mantis Collection and Red Carnation Hotel group, Martin immigrated with her family from South Africa to New Zealand in 2008 joining Mirvac Hotels and in 2012, following an acquisition by Accor Hotels, she transitioned into the Accor sales team as Director of Sales for Corporate.
In May 2014, Martin was appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing for the Sofitel brand in New Zealand with her portfolio increasing in May last year to include Director of Luxury Sales & Marketing – New Zealand, Fiji and French Polynesia.
Martin has already commenced her new role with EVT and has hit the ground running.
“My initial focus will be three-fold. Firstly, to support the hotels to achieve their overarching objectives, secondly, draw on my luxury knowledge to enhance the guest value proposition with new, enticing experiences, and thirdly to develop Owner Advocacy.”
Martin is one of New Zealand’s most experienced and talented travel sales marketers says Simon White, General Manager for EVENT Hotels and Resorts brands.
“Tracy is highly motivated and along with her extensive hotel opening, revenue and owner relationship experience, Tracy has notable sales and marketing knowledge across all market segments with impressive domestic and international contacts. Her ability to think strategically with a consumer focus makes her the ideal person to lead the sales strategy across the Rydges and QT brands in New Zealand.” Ends
For more information please contact:
Danelle Ayers
Marketing & Brand Manager
Rydges Hotels & Resorts – New Zealand
Mobile: +64 21 277 1237
WAIRARAPA TOURISM OPERATORS AWARDED TOP QUALMARK AWARD
SH2 TURNS GOLD
The Wairarapa has businesses leading the way in making New Zealand a world class sustainable visitor destination following recent recognition by Qualmark New Zealand.
Destination Wairarapa general manager David Hancock says State Highway 2 has turned gold following recognition by Qualmark New Zealand, an independent organisation that assess businesses to ensure they offer the highest quality experiences to New Zealand visitors.
“Wairarapa continues to attract more visitors and Qualmark’s latest ratings show several of our operators are demonstrating exceptional sustainable tourism practises that deliver outstanding customer experiences and we are very proud of that.”
Three operators to be awarded the Gold Sustainable Tourism Business Award include: Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre and Tui Brewery both located on SH2 and Tranzit Group. They were evaluated on operational practises, environment and culture, social and people, and health and safety.
“When strong regional products like these are combined with our other attractions such as wine tourism, cycling, coastal landscapes and our towns and villages, it provides an even more compelling opportunity to encourage more traffic along SH2 and even more reasons for day or weekend trips out of Wellington or Palmerston North,” says Mr Hancock.
Gregg Anderson, General Manager of Qualmark New Zealand says Pukaha Mount Bruce and Tui Brewery are standout organisations in the region, with their innovative marketing programmes, commitment to community engagement, and understanding of the tourism sector.
“Tui Brewery has established a raft of initiatives that have encouraged year-round visitation particularly at weekends, and an ongoing commitment to address and improve freedom camping at Mangatainoka Reserve. Pukaha, similarly has taken innovative approaches to fundraising, conservation efforts and Iwi co-operation to assist with its programmes around regeneration of indigenous forest and birdlife,” he says.
“Working together with Destination Wairarapa and other local suppliers, these excellent sustainable businesses provide a real opportunity to increase international and domestic visitors on State Highway 2. The efforts combined with their strong business systems, a commitment to continuous improvement, and great Health and Safety programmes played a significant role in their achievement of Qualmark Gold Sustainable Business Awards.”
Mr Anderson also was impressed with Tranzit Group, who operate nationwide but have its base in Wairarapa. Incidentally they supply coaches and training behind a number of other Qualmark Gold recipients
“Tranzit Group has built a culture of continuous improvement in all its processes that has enabled the business to grow rapidly while at the same time improving services for clients, guests, and the environment,” he says. “A commitment to electric buses for Wellington commuter routes, exemplary Health and Safety processes around their school bus routes, innovative approaches to recruitment for specialist services (including special needs transport) and a lasting commitment to philanthropic community engagement are among a raft of notable achievements.”
Jenna Snelgrove, marketing director for Tranzit Group, said the company and its’ 1500 strong team were rapt with receiving the award.
“Our team is passionate about our communities and the people they serve. It’s a real buzz for them to be acknowledged in this way,” she says. “Tranzit has had a busy year with preparing to operate Wellington Metlink services, including bringing to the region New Zealand’s first fully-electric buses. Last week, in partnership with the Masterton Rotary group, we helped launch a mobile medical facility in Rarotonga using a donated bus,” she says.
Emily Court, General Manager for Pukaha Mount Bruce, is thrilled with the award and says it reflects the hard work her team has put into conservation and sustainability kaupapa. She says it also follows another award, a Hall of Fame member, from Trip Advisor which means they’ve achieved a certificate of excellence on the travel website for five years running. She says having a “people’s choice” award sit alongside a quality industry award was especially fitting for Pukaha.
“Pukaha is a captive-breeding sanctuary for some of the country’s most threatened native birds, located in a pocket of ancient forest. It’s a highly educational experience for all that work here and for those who visit, but it is also great fun.”
Rosie Rogers, from The Experience Collective which manages Tui Brewery, says it’s fantastic to have her team’s internal hard work acknowledged externally.
“We’ve reduced our waste to landfill by 75% through reviewing our recycling programme, worked hard to combat seasonality through conferencing, Tui Express and our Mangatainoka motors events and given back to the community through our Plants and Pints project,” she says. “We’re also developing our culture, people and performance through a range of forward thinking initiatives. We’ve listened to feedback from our guests and we’re always measuring and improving.”
Qualmark will announce awards for several other Wairarapa tourism operators in the coming weeks.
For more information please contact:
Destination Wairarapa general manager David Hancock on 027 227 2118