Education Trade Show Coup for Queenstown Edu-tourism

Queenstown has the opportunity to globally showcase its position as an international education destination next year after being confirmed as host venue for Australia and New Zealand’s largest education and student travel trade show.

Around 500 participants from 50 different countries are expected to attend the Australia New Zealand Agent Workshop (ANZA) to be held at Queenstown Events Centre from 29 February - 2 March 2012.

Formatted in a similar way to TRENZ*, which was recently held for the first time in Queenstown, the workshop facilitates one-on-one appointments between agencies that send student and edu-travellers to the region and those who provide educational and tourism services at the destination

Attendees are also offered professional development seminars or opportunities to showcase their own programmes, schools, countries and regions.

Destination Queenstown Convention Bureau Manager Kylie Brittain says securing ANZA is a strategic win for Queenstown which represents a ‘coming of age’ for the resort as an edu-tourism destination.

“Education is a major export earner for both Australia and New Zealand and Queenstown is now recognised as a credible international education destination with many options as a place for students to live and learn outside of their home countries.

“Hosting ANZA gives us the opportunity to display our offering to this market niche. It’s an international platform that can promote the resort as a superb study destination,” she says.

Queenstown’s ‘live and learn’ opportunities have been profiled and organised through Study Queenstown, a specialist organisation set up two years ago which brings together the education institutions offering services in Queenstown to provide a one-stop-shop for people considering study in the region.

Study Queenstown spokesperson Charlie Philips says the organisation works hard to present Queenstown as a credible, well established edu-tourism destination.

“Study Queenstown represents all the education providers in the area from secondary school to tertiary and language institutions. We work together to present Queenstown as a serious education destination with organisations that are experienced in hosting, teaching and supporting international students.”

Mr Philips believes hosting the ANZA workshops offers an opportunity for Queenstown to forge new relationships with international agencies and to showcase the synergies between education and tourism.

The 2011 ANZA workshop was held in Royal Pines Resort on Gold Coast and welcomed 519 participants representing 357 organisations from 52 countries with a total of 4582 pre-scheduled meetings taking place over two days.

For more information about The Australia New Zealand Agent Workshop visit www.anzaworkshop.com.

For more information about Queenstown please visit www.queenstown-nz.co.nz.

Two Of Australia's Well Known Convention/Incentive Brands Unite

micenet AUSTRALIA magazine and American Express have formed a strategic alliance. American Express Meetings & Events, an extension of American Express Business Travel, has agreed to make micenet magazine available to some of its key meetings and events decision makers. American Express is a leading travel management company and meetings, events and incentive provider that reaches customers around the world.

This strategic alliance will extend micenet AUSTRALIA’s readership to an even greater audience of highly qualified convention and incentive travel buyers. For advertisers, the strategic alliance will result in greater exposure to an extended, sophisticated and highly resourced sector of the market that has been relatively untapped by business event publications in the past.

Helen Batt-Rawden, Publisher of micenet magazine says, ‘selecting effective distribution channels is a key component to a company’s marketing mix and integral to the successful operation of an organisation. We constantly strive to research and introduce more qualified and exclusive distribution channels that will not only give our advertisers more exposure within the niche C&I buyer arena, but will also maintain our leading status in the marketplace and ensure the magazine is more widely read by QUALIFIED buyers than any other C&I/MICE-related magazine in the Australian marketplace'.

New A380 has duty free store on board

The rush to buy duty-free items before boarding is now over for some lucky passengers. Korean Airlines took delivery of its first A-380 Airbus, which has been fitted with an enviable, built-in duty free shop for premium passengers.

The first of 10 super jumbos on order was delivered by the French aeronautical manufacturer in Seoul this week.

With 407 seats, including 12 first-class suites, 94 business-class seats and 301 in economy, the Korean national carrier also boasts the lowest number of seats.

The world’s sixth largest carrier is scheduled to receive nine additional A380s over the next three years. And in a bid to rival Singapore Airlines, Korean will actively woo business travellers into the jaws of the plane’s entire upper deck.

The aircraft is Airbus’s eighth A380 delivered this year out of a proposed assembly line of 24 in 2011. There are now a total of 49 A380s flying the global skies.

AUSTRALIAN CONSUMERS EMBRACE NEW INVITATION ONLY TRAVEL DEAL SITE, TRAVELCANDY.COM.AU

TravelCandy.com.au, Australia’s specialist invitation-only travel club is signing up members so fast that they have had to hire two new staff members to cope with demand.

TravelCandy.com.au CEO Sam Friend says, “We always thought there was a need for hand picked travel deals but we had no idea just how popular it would be in the Australian market. We have been pleasantly surprised by the response and we have had to grow rapidly to accommodate the demand.”

The site, which has only been live for three months, has already signed up over 10,000 members, lwith numbers growing steadily each day.

Friend attributes the surge in numbers to the power of word of mouth and increased consumer demand for handpicked travel deals and quality content. “Wotif’s offering is largely the same as it was 10 years ago, no reviews, generic content but good at processing bookings. We are about inspiring people to get more balance, take a holiday and plan it in advance to save some money.”

“Australians are very comfortable with purchasing in advance if they are getting a great deal. On our site, we sell limited numbers of exclusive holiday experiences at extremely good prices. We have sold everything from Daintree Ecolodge escapes to Sydney Harbour Sailing packages. We have one customer who has bought something every week!”

For further information or to sign up for a free VIP membership, please visit www.travelcandy.com.au/free

What Ash Cloud?

Travel Insurance Group Raises Concerns Over Ash Cloud Flight Guidelines


"A myth" says Ryanair chief

Travel insurance provider WorldNomads.com says safety must be put ahead of profit as airlines push for more lenient guidelines for flying through ash clouds.

After clouds of volcanic ash caused the cancellation of 1600 flights in Scotland, England and Germany this week, the heads of two of Europe's biggest airlines have questioned the need to close airspace.

Both Ryanair and British Airways flew test flights through areas that Britain's Met' Office said contained extremely high densities of ash, without ill effect.

Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary went as far as to describe the ash clouds as a myth.

In an opinion piece published on the WorldNomads.com, travel safety specialist Phil Sylvester said,

"Mr. O'Leary might be right. I hope he's acting on the advice of his aircraft engineers, but it worries me when travel safety decisions are influenced by people who have one eye on the bottom line."

Mr. Sylvester said his concerns were sparked when he read reports that the British Transport Secretary had made changes to guidelines, allowing aircraft to fly under areas of high ash density, after lobbying from the airline chiefs.

"Of the thousands of people inconvenienced by Grimsvotn's eruption, I didn't hear one of them insisting their plane should fly regardless of safety doubts," said Mr. Sylvester. "The only people making that demand are the bosses of British Airways and Ryanair."

"These would be the same two businessmen who were part of an industry that incurred losses of $1.7 billion dollars when that other ash cloud closed European airspace in 2010. They are under enormous pressure to make sure that doesn't happen again; the very existence of their businesses depends on it." Mr. Sylvester said.

While acknowledging that it wasn't in the best business interests of the airlines to put passenger safety at risk, Mr. Sylvester said he is worried by the apparent process.

He added, "We could organize a conga line of scientists from both sides of this argument to take part in an enormous game of  'yes it is safe - no it isn't', but are you comfortable with profit-and-loss being part of the equation?"

Read more about Volcanic Ash & Safety Decisions http://ow.ly/54pei
http://journals.worldnomads.com/safetyhub/story/73046/Iceland/Volcanic-Ash-and-Safety-Decisions
Phil Sylvester is a journalist and travel safety specialist at travel insurance provider WorldNomads.com based in Australia. He can be contacted for comment at phil.sylvester@worldnomadsgroup.com 

MAORI KING AND NEW ZEALAND PM OPEN NOVOTEL AUCKLAND AIRPORT

Novotel Auckland Airport was officially opened today by King Tuheitia and New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key, in a traditional dawn ceremony. The launch of the innovative hotel – just 50 metres from the international terminal – comes just over 100 days from the kick-off of the World Cup, and will provide a huge confidence boost to New Zealand tourism after the devastating Christchurch earthquake earlier this year.

One of New Zealand's most significant new hotels

The $65 million hotel project has been developed by one of New Zealand's largest Maori entities, Tainui Group Holdings, in partnership with Auckland Airport and Accor, who operate the hotel.

Auckland Airport handles over 13 million passengers annually, projected to grow to 24 million by 2025, with 73% of all international visitors to New Zealand arriving or departing from Auckland. That figure is expected to grow substantially in the wake of the Christchurch earthquake, making the opening of the Novotel highly strategic for the country's short-term and long-term tourism needs.

It will also significantly benefit most international visitors, as many flights to Auckland arrive late at night and connections to key regional airports are not till the following morning. International flights departing Auckland often leave early in the morning, making an overnight stay at the airport necessary, especially as it can take up to an hour's drive to reach downtown Auckland.

A contemporary, stylish hotel that pays homage to New Zealand's heritage and traditional culture

"For the majority of visitors to New Zealand, the Novotel is the first and last impression they have of the country, so the design of the Novotel has been infused with subtle references to New Zealand's natural environment, culture, art and heritage," says General Manager, Paul Columbus. "We believe it will be a showcase for the best New Zealand has to offer.

"Part of the New Zealand experience is the close encounter with nature, so the hotel has been surrounded with distinctive indigenous plants, including Pohutakawa (NZ Christmas) trees, while the triangular architectural features of the building are designed to reflect the bows of traditional Maori 'waka' canoes, which first arrived here at Manukau Harbour many hundreds of years ago."

There is a distinct green theme in the hotel's lobby where guests are greeted by a 'living wall' of indigenous plants that are nurtured by a hydroponic system.  All the timbers used in the Novotel are 100% FSC-accredited Southland maple beech, which are harvested on a sustainably-managed basis, and are part of the hotel's commitment to become a fully certified Earthcheck hotel. Major effort has also been made to reduce energy and water usage in the hotel's daily operations.

The design of the hotel has been undertaken by leading New Zealand architect and designer, Warren & Mahoney. Some of New Zealand's most promising designers and artists have been commissioned to work on the hotel's fit-out, and the locally-produced items range from a vast, self-supporting spiral steel staircase in the lobby to a Maori patterned 'Patiki' screen in the restaurant, designed to represent abundance and 'manaakitanga' (caring for people).

While paying homage to the past and to Maori heritage, the Novotel is also very much a reflection of contemporary New Zealand, with the latest in communication technologies, including full arrival and departure monitors in the lobby to ensure that guests are kept fully informed of the latest plane movements.

A room that features the latest interior design trends and anticipates new ones

Novotel Auckland Airport is the first hotel in the Pacific region to have Novotel's new NEXT concept room. The room  has been designed to give a maximum impression of spaciousness and freedom of movement. The bathroom is a key design feature and marks a significant shift from traditional hotel rooms.  It is separated from the rest of the room by a transparent glass partition that can be covered by an internal privacy screen.

Windows are larger than standard and are double glazed so that there is no noise even from an Airbus A380 taking off. The lighting systems provide light where guests most need it. The bed is one of the new room's fundamental and most striking features and central to all guest activities: sleeping, working or reading.  The bed is raised and framed by an upholstered headboard that follows the contours of the back perfectly, while providing another opportunity for New Zealand theming, with images of the graceful, undulating indigenous toi toi grasses  

"We offer the most innovative connectivity with a proper working desk and communications panel that can help convert a room into a mobile office,"  says Columbus. "We will also eventually be able to introduce room access via mobile phone – the first in New Zealand – so that a guest will be able to get off the plane and go straight into their room.

"A key to an airport hotel is its flexibility. Hence our 263 rooms offer everything from deluxe suites to superbly designed accessible rooms, which have been designed in consultation with experts rather than being just after-thoughts.

"Fitness is an important part of an airport hotel experience, so our in-Balance Fitness gym has the most sophisticated equipment and we will also have special facilities for airline crews."

Destination attractions

There are a surprising number of activities in close proximity to the airport. Wine tastings and dinners can be organised at one of New Zealand's most renowned wineries, Villa Maria, and Butterfly Creek is a vast tourist park offering everything from a tropical butterfly house with over 750 species to New Zealand's only saltwater crocodiles.

A comprehensive meetings hub

A major feature of the hotel is its conference centre, with 12 meeting rooms, capable of hosting conferences for up to 315 delegates theatre style

An international restaurant offering the finest in local cuisine and wines

The Square restaurant offers all-day dining, with a menu featuring the finest in local produce. The Novotel is just a short drive from one of New Zealand's most famous vineyards, Villa Maria, and the wine list contains many Auckland-based premium wines. Novotel Auckland features specially designed individual dining pods for solo diners, with private TV screens so guests can watch a full range of programming while they eat. There is also a separate private dining area for small groups.

Special Opening Deal Rates start from NZ$179 per night, but until the end of August, a 25% discount is offered on all fully flexible rates. Bookings: www.novotel.com or via Accor Reservations Service or through travel agents.

The Novotel Auckland Airport is managed by Accor, New Zealand's largest hotel group with over 30 hotels in operation. Accor will open a second hotel at Auckland Airport later in the year – Formule 1 Auckland Airport. Hotel brands operated by Accor in New Zealand include Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, All Seasons and Ibis.

Fiji Orchid Blooms

HM MAGAZINE EXCLUSIVE BY RODERICK EIME IN FIJI

In a scene reminiscent of that ‘80s beer commercial “They said you’d never make it”, Jenny and Peter Bourke built their dream of luxury Fiji on a run-down remote island in the middle of nowhere that no one wanted to touch.

Fiji born and bred, Jenny, reels in laughter when she recalls her first ITB in Berlin 20 years ago when she masqueraded as a Tahitian to poach business leads from the better prepared French Polynesians.

“It was hilarious,” she says, her normally serene demeanor breaking into a girlish giggle, “I came to the biggest travel show in the world with a box of brochures and no idea. ‘What have you got me into!’ I screamed at my husband. But I learned quick.”

“Dan Costello (Fiji Beachcomber and doyen of Fiji hospitality) famously said to me ‘You know nothing about the industry. How on earth do you think you’re going to make it work?”

The saga of Nukubati Island is well known in hospitality circles, and it’s a story with a happy ending. Tripadvisor now rates the all-inclusive private island resort 100% positive with a 2011 Travellers’ Choice award to boot.

But Jenny and Peter couldn’t rest on their laurels and the Fiji Orchid was born. Not as a swank resort or destination spa, but as a comfortable transit lodge just a few minutes from Nadi airport for guests on their way to or from an outer island experience.

“As so many of these stories start, it began with a coincidence,” Jenny told HM. “I was working with Don Burness, the horticulturalist, on gardens for Nukubati while he was living in the old Raymond Burr house on Saweni Beach.”

“Well, this place was divine. Okay, needed some work, but the potential was immediate and I said almost playfully to Don ‘If you ever want to sell …’ and well, 12 years later I bought it.”

The couple began to transform the two main buildings into dining and reception areas and added six luxury bures. The formal opening was in early 2010 and already the Fiji Orchid has gathered glowing reviews. Among the five acres of lavish gardens (with orchids, of course) there’s a pool, the 20-seat Raymond’s Restaurant, bar, lounge, ornate meeting room and a small spa treatment bure. The property even has its own helipad for guests transferring to private islands.

The back story is of course the Raymond Burr connection. The Canadian-born actor, best known for his TV dramas, Perry Mason and Ironside, was a keen gardener with interests in wine and art. His love of Fiji was part climate and part seclusion. Like so many Hollywood types of the ‘50s and ‘60s, they craved privacy and in Fiji, no one knew him. Here he could relax and be with his long-time partner away from prying eyes and gossiping tongues. His handsome portrait hangs in the restaurant with an obvious look of approval.

Jenny’s very personal style of hospitality extends to the way she conducts business and she has largely eschewed the online travel agents, working mainly through ‘traditional channels’.

“Everyone knows how things work in cycles here in Fiji,” says Jenny, who has formal qualifications in economics, “and even when others are slashing rates we stick to ours. Sure, we’ll value-add, but we won’t discount. I’d rather suffer the short term pain.”

Jenny admits she’ll be using online distribution shortly, but with strict channel management. For now there is no urgency as occupancy is exceeding expectations.

Single or double day rooms are FJD$350 + tax for seven hours or FJD$550 + tax for overnight with a 12 noon checkout. Includes transfers to Nadi airport, Denarau or Lautoka.