Two iconic Marlborough families have joined forces to boost year-round tourism to the region.

Half of Marlborough Tour Company, established more than 20 years ago by Chris and Sue Godsiff who still own it today, has been purchased by a company principally owned by Barbara, Cathy, Trevor and Dennis Burkhart Family Trusts along with a smaller holding by Nikki and Tony de Reeper.

Dennis and Trevor will become board directors and Tony will fill the CFO position, but not be actively involved in day-to-day operations, says Chris.

“It’s business as usual for us, but what this purchase means is that all the things we have dreamed of doing at Marlborough Tour Company, we can now do.”

Chris says the decision to sell 50% of their successful high-end tourism business stemmed from a desire to bring more of Marlborough to the tourism market, all year round.

“We want to make the most of the quieter months in Marlborough, as often these seasons bring the best weather for visitors to enjoy. We want to expose that hidden treasure.”

“While it’s always good when you own 100% of a business, I believe in this case we’re better off owning 50% of something when it means there is a high potential for greater success. This is good for Marlborough Tour Company, and it is great for Marlborough and all the opportunities it brings.”

The Burkharts, widely-known for their local pioneering live lobster exporting company, were the perfect fit as both families have been influential in the community for many years through business, tourism and financial contributions. They also share a background as pioneers in Marlborough’s seafood industry, with Marlborough Tour Company born from tours to the Godsiffs’ mussel farms out of Havelock.

Importantly they have a deep passion for the region and a true willingness to see growth and success for Marlborough’s tourism industry, Chris says.

Dennis Burkhart says his family had previously invested in other areas of Marlborough’s tourism industry and felt Marlborough Tour Company and its crew would fit well with their family and associated enterprises.

“We are companies, people and families cut from similar cloths and backgrounds.”

Dennis says the next year will bring a lot of hard work to plan and map out pathways to secure a longer term strategic vision for Marlborough Tour Company to achieve their goals.

“We are very much looking forward to working with the Marlborough Tour Company team and relish the opportunity to work alongside passionate families and crew. Together, the future looks very exciting.”

ENDS.

Scott McKenzie

General Manager
scott@marlboroughtourcompany.co.nz

The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ) is extremely concerned by proposed massive funding cuts to regional tourism promotion as local authority long-term plans are reviewed.

TECNZ chief executive Judy Chen said TECNZ had already supported the submissions of three Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) to their regional councils in an attempt to maintain funding for tourism promotion and events, and, on the West Coast, to secure their very existence.

“We’re seeing proposals to slash regional tourism budgets. This is completely at odds with the increase in tourism numbers and seems to be very counter-intuitive.

“It appears some local authorities see success in numbers as proof they do not have to promote their region but that isn’t the case at all. Increased destination promotion has resulted in increased visitor numbers but the reverse will occur if budgets are reduced. We will then see job losses and business closures across whole regions because any reduced tourism spending has repercussions for retailers, hospitality and accommodation providers, not just tourism operators.”

Just last week Stats NZ reported that total overseas visitor arrivals numbered 423,500 for February, the highest for the month ever, which was up 11% for the same month last year. Visitor arrivals reached a record 3.78 million for the year to February, up 7% on the previous 12-month period.

Ms Chen said regional tourism support was vital to enable New Zealand to continue to be a sought after destination.

“This support is particularly crucial right now as the World Travel & Tourism Council’s annual Economic Impact Research released last week forecast that growth in the tourism sector would slow this year because of higher oil prices. We need to maintain our tourism marketing momentum to retain tourism jobs and SMEs.”

West Coast

Tourism West Coast is under threat of being disbanded and taken over by the Destination West Coast as part of the West Coast Economic Development Action Plan. Already one of the local councils, the Westland District Council, has voted unanimously to reject the proposal however the Buller District Council is set to vote this evening (March 28), and the Grey District Council on 9 April.

Ms Chen said the disbanding proposal was a particularly concerning development.

“Tourism West Coast currently enjoys the highest growth in New Zealand in terms visitor expenditure at 12%. Much of this success is because TWC can operate autonomously and focus on strategic actions. Changing the structure would be a major step backwards and could also alienate some local tourism outfits. We want to see the status quo retained.”

Northland

Meanwhile the Northland Regional Council, which has traditionally supported the local RTO, Northland Inc, is looking to withdraw its tourism promotion funding.

“Removing this funding will have a catastrophic impact on the future of the industry and local communities. For a region that has many difficult challenges, tourism offers an extremely positive story. Northland stands as the 6th largest tourism region for New Zealand. Ratepayer investment as a percentage of council funding shows Northland Inc. to be one of the lowest funded RTOs in the country. Again, tourism support must continue or the region will go backwards.”

Hawkes Bay

The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is proposing to reduce Hawke’s Bay Tourism funding by 50% over the next three years, equating to a $1.8 million loss, which will also mean a significant reduction in tourism promotion, events and activity.  Tourism employs over 6,200 people in Hawke’s Bay, with 880 new jobs generated in the last two years.

“These jobs and the businesses that provide them are at risk by these ill-considered funding cuts. The long-term repercussions are huge. Experience has shown it will take years to rebuild the losses to tourism awareness, events and activities.

“The move by these regional councils, and others, is extremely concerning. Funding tourism is not a cost, it’s an investment in each region’s future. We call on councils to give deeply consideration to the negative impacts to their regions if tourism is not well supported.”

ends

For more information contact:

Judy Chen

027 6644 836

CEO@tourismexportcouncil.org.nz

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.

Haka Tours and ANZ Nature Tours

Operating since 2007, Haka Tours provides small group tours across Aotearoa. All tours include a driver-guide, great accommodation options and breakfasts. Our tours cover adventure,

snow, education and sports tours. Whilst ANZ Nature Tours is a full-service inbound tour operator offering travel packages of New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.

Nga Haerenga The New Zealand Cycle Trail Inc. is the national organisation for the New Zealand Cycle Trail which includes the 22 Great Rides and 21 Heartland Rides located throughout New Zealand.

The New Zealand Cycle Trail is a world class tourism asset that creates economic benefit for regional New Zealand. The Great Rides showcase the best of New Zealand’s scenery, landscape, culture and heritage.

The Heartland Rides connect Great Rides to points of interest and local towns. NZCT Inc. provides advocacy, marketing, capability building and funding support for members.

Based in Picton and family owned and operated since 2006, Beachcomber Cruises are the largest Queen Charlotte Sounds cruise, transport and Queen Charlotte Track specialists. Our boats operate 364 days a year with 8 vessels in our fleet, catering for the independent travelers, families, groups and functions. We offer cruises such as the New Zealand Post Mail Run Cruise, Historic Ship Cove Cruise, Motuara Bird Sanctuary Cruise, as well as facilitating one- and multi-day walks of the beautiful Queen Charlotte Track, and operating a private water-taxi service operated under Picton Water Taxis.

The professional guiding association of New Zealand – professional tour guides and driver guides providing excellence and sustainable care for New Zealand as a tourist destination. Proguides are the voice of the guiding industry.

Take Me 2 The World, operating since April 2013, is a New Zealand Inbound Tour Operator. We are members of Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ) and a Qualmark endorsed operator. We specialise in leisure, MICE, education group and sports group tours. Through our association with former Blackcap Jacob Oram, we run Cricket tours for schools, cricket clubs and academies. We welcome the opportunity to work with travel agents and wholesalers from around the world.

Independent company beats out big brands in prestigious awards

GO Rentals was today revealed as the winner of the Canstar Blue Customer Satisfaction Award in the car hire category, receiving a maximum five stars across every measurement rated, beating out all major brands as the first independent car hire company to win the award in eight years.

Canstar Blue researches, compares and rates products and services according to customer satisfaction across categories including banking, telecommunications, appliances, electronics, utilities, travel and FMCG. Results are freely available to consumers who are encouraged to use the ratings as a guide to product excellence.

GO Rentals was rated alongside Apex, Avis, Budget, Hertz, Thrifty, Europcar and Jucy, in six categories – customer service, booking process, value for money, availability of vehicles, transparency of costs and fees and overall satisfaction.

Customer service was identified as a key driver of overall satisfaction and for GO Rentals it represented the majority of influence (23%), an insight that GO Rentals Managing Director James Dalglish says is intrinsic to the way the company does business.

 “We are incredibly proud to be accepting this year’s Canstar Blue Award, particularly as it recognises the commitment we have made as a company, to provide our customers with the best possible customer experience in the rental industry,” said Mr Dalglish.  “In recognition of our amazing teams on the ground, I’d like to dedicate this award to them and our loyal customers”

Canstar General Manager, Jose George said of the GO Rentals win, “Making a customer feel appreciated and delivering great customer service remain the foundations of customer satisfaction and GO Rentals has successfully focussed on these values.  This award is well deserved.  Congratulations and well done.”

Launched in 1999, GO Rentals started with only a handful of vehicles and one location. 19 years later, GO Rentals has a fleet of over 3,000 vehicles and six locations around New Zealand, and more than half a million happy travelers driving GO Rentals vehicles in the past three years.

The full range of results can be viewed at https://www.canstarblue.co.nz/travel/hire-cars/

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Alice McKay

Applause Communications

E:         alice@applausecommunications.co.nz

M:       021 847 795

The James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor’s Executive Housekeeper, Denise Thornton, retires this Friday after 44 years at the central Wellington Hotel. Commencing on the front desk in 1974, Denise remembers her first day at the ‘Jimmy Cook’ with nervous excitement, honoured to be working at one of the first international hotels to grace the capital. Fast-forwarding to present day, Denise has managed the Housekeeping department since 1986 and has been pivotal in developing the sustainable and collaborative culture at the Hotel.

Reflecting on her environmental ethos, Denise has always viewed the Hotel as the “big house on the hill”. “It is important to understand the potential waste generation when operating 268 rooms, and therefore our sustainability efforts have to be considered, to minimise our effect on the environment and community we are a part of”. Looking to the future, Denise believes changing people’s attitudes to waste is vital. She came from a ‘fix it’ society, to a ‘replacement society’ however now sees the cycle reversing as the millennial generations focus on sustainability becomes apparent. The most recent positive change for the Hotel was purchasing over 100 reusable straws for the restaurant outlets (minimising the use of plastic), a move Denise strongly endorsed.

Leading one of the largest and most diverse teams as Executive Housekeeper, Denise has fostered a unique culture within her department. Along with providing a high standard of cleanliness throughout the Hotel, Denise encourages her team to interact with guests and to share their warm personalities through their work. She knows this is a good way for both guests and her staff to start the day, and she feels immense happiness when introverted team members gain more confidence after just a few weeks of employment. It is therefore the people Denise will miss most about her role, along with the stimulation and diversity a “different day every day” brings as Executive Housekeeper.

Additional achievements for Denise includes winning New Zealand Housekeeper of the Year in the 90’s and being a finalist at the New Zealand Hotel Awards, 2016. She established the Wellington Housekeeping Forum and has seen the Hotel achieve EarthCheck EC3 and Qualmark GOLD certification. One of her unforgettable memories was conversing one on one with Cliff Richards and her favourite place at the Hotel is the level 26 Executive Club Lounge for its picturesque views over Wellington. Revealing why she has remained at the same work place for over 40 years, Denise has appreciated the Hotels continuous ability to keep up to date with the market and changing preferences, reflected by the regular guests who keep coming back. It is these guests Denise will miss the most, along with her work family and the “big house on the hill” that is that James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor.

The James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor is located in the heart of Wellington City, conveniently situated between the leading retail district of Lambton Quay and the business hub of The Terrace. The Hotel features 268 accommodation rooms, two restaurants and bars, Infuse Day Spa, an exclusive 26th floor Club Lounge and a complimentary in-house gymnasium.

Media Contact details:

Jessica Taylor – Marketing & Communications Executive

James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor – 147 The Terrace Wellington 6011 – New Zealand

021 190 7368

marketing@jamescookhotel.co.nz

www.grandchancellorhotels.com

https://www.grandchancellorhotels.com/james-cook-hotel-grand-chancellor

The Tourism Export Council says the Provincial Growth Fund will be a real shot in the arm for the regions being targeted initially.

TECNZ CEO Judy Chen says her organisation is delighted that regional tourism product developments are among the first to benefit from initial round of the PGF.

She says the identified new tourism ventures will be attractive for international tourists and TEC members will work with providers to look at including them in future tourist itineraries.

The $1 billion per annum fund was launched in Gisborne on Friday and aims to enhance economic development, create sustainable jobs and contribute to community well-being. The first regional packages will support Northland, Tairāwhiti-East Coast, Hawke’s Bay and Manawatū-Whanganui and the West Coast of the South Island.

PGF tourism investment announced includes $4.6m towards the Manea Footprints of Kupe Cultural Heritage and Education Centre in Opononi and $1m for 2019’s first encounter commemorations in Gisborne.

Ms Chen says these type of developments are in huge demand by international tourists and will help address the regional dispersal challenges the industry faces i.e. creating opportunities outside the usual hotspots to both spread the tourism load and boost regional economic development.

“Feedback from our members is that overseas tourists want authentic New Zealand experiences and will travel distances to the regions to experience them. Inbound tourism operators have a crucial role to play in supporting such tourism ventures and it’s very exciting to see where the regional funding is going. We are very pleased.”

ENDS

For more information contact:

Judy Chen

027 6644 836

CEO@tourismexportcouncil.org.nz

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 and transport suppliers (Allied Members). TEC members collectively handle most of New Zealand’s international visitor arrivals. For more information visit www.tourismexportcouncil.org.nz.