Read more stories of agents and operators working together...
...at workshops, launch evenings and on fam trips by logging on each month to the online edition at
SellingLongHaul.com.
talking shop MY RECENT HOLIDAY TO...
Campaign Update We're Backing Agents
My Recent Holiday to... New Zealand
Ruth Scott Scott Travel
Destinations are lining up to support the We’re Backing Agents campaign being championed by our sister publication, Selling Short Breaks & Holidays. The campaign is gathering pace,
with more sales tips, fam reports and short break news being added to our dedicated microsite. Norway has become the latest
to agree to one of our popular Destination Dialogue training events. Innovation Norway pledged its support for our campaign as it prepares to unveil its new-look Travel Uni training programme later this month. Country manager of Innovation Norway, Kate Foster, said: “Travel agents are an especially important channel for destinations that people don’t feel they know enough about, like ours. Agents can help them with their knowledge, expertise and reassurance.” The campaign is designed to support agent sales by giving them regular updates and free access to face-to-face destination training. To be a part of it simply register as a user on www.
wearebackingagents.ning.com. Once registered you can share your news, views, tips and ideas or upload your own photos of destinations you know and love.
What were your expectations of New Zealand? Having previously organised many New Zealand trips for clients, and with our friends living there, I already had my own perceptions of what to expect: magnificent scenery; friendly, laid-back (and adventurous) locals; a small human population but a lot of sheep; empty roads; a somewhat ‘dated’ feel. I was also aware of New Zealand’s “green and clean” image.
Were there any surprises? Wellington (the capital) and Christchurch (on the South Island) were lovely cities – and easier to get around than Auckland, which was great and has a fabulous harbour but had far more traffic than I expected. Farming certainly does dominate the country's economy (and countryside) but agriculture now features millions of cows as well as sheep.
What did you think of the accommodation? Hotel standards are very high: tea/coffee-making facilities, mini-bars, hair-driers seem to be pretty standard. More surprisingly, every hotel we stayed in had a cheap, DIY guest laundry to cater for those who are touring. However, air-conditioning was not the norm which is worth remembering for summer clients.
What were your highlights? The scenery was spectacular but other highlights included the climb up the
Clockwise: Franz Josef Glacier; Ruth and Roy Scott; the ice climb; views of Queenstown
Franz Josef Glacier (with crampons!); the architecture and, surprisingly, the haggis ceremony in the 'Scottish' city of Dunedin; the Te Papa museum in Wellington; our trip with 'Kiwi Dundee' on the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula; our canyon adventure in Queenstown (with jet-boating, of course).
Who would you recommend the destination to? Lord of the Rings fans would be in their element, with so many familiar views of “Middle Earth” to discover. Kiwis absolutely love their leisure and sports activities and there is a lot to suit active travellers. Golf courses are found all over the country and a round of golf is amazing value. If you have clients looking for a golfing holiday who are prepared to put in the flying hours, it could be more cost- effective than Europe!
What tips will you now pass on to clients? Be prepared for early dinners! Kiwis tend to be 'early to bed, early to rise' people. Also, take care on the roads as many are single-carriageway and passing slow vehicles can be tricky. New Zealanders seem generally to be proud of their 'hunting, shooting and fishing' way of life and vegetarians are sometimes not well understood! Finally, credit cards are taken for just about everything!
Your final verdict: All in all a great and very memorable trip!
www.sellinglonghaul.com • February 2011 63
CH&INNOVATION NORWAY
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