EPIC return
New Zealand’s impressive landscape has proved box offi ce gold and the country continues to deliver inspirational experiences for UK travellers, says Mark Henshall
T
he Lord of the Rings trilogy may have put New Zealand fi rmly on the map but it always has had an epic quality. As the
land of the Long White Cloud revels in the positive impact of the third and fi nal part of Sir Peter Jackson’s fi lm trilogy, more UK travellers are embracing a country that overfl ows with grand natural assets. For agents, the outlook is bright: Air New
Zealand enjoyed a third year of consecutive earnings growth for the fi nancial year 2014, with an increase of 30% over the previous year, so it’s no wonder Sir Peter Jackson can take out time to enjoy a small cameo on the airline’s new Hobbit-inspired infl ight safety video. Operators are similarly upbeat. Laura Smith, Faraway Reservations Supervisor, Premier Holidays says: “Premier Holidays is trading 48% up for 2015 travel to New Zealand, and is seeing booking trends in fl y-drive itineraries and combined North & South Island holidays.” Carrier meanwhile reports business to New Zealand is up 25% year-on-year and its multi- centre self-drive itineraries are proving the most popular, with the ability to combine the North and South islands easily at one’s own pace. The fl exibility New Zealand offers is crucial to its success, with the option as a standalone trip or a multi-trip itinerary in Australasia or as part of a Pacifi c tour. What visitors all share in common is the length of stay – the average stay is 28.9 days so it’s clear when people visit they really want to make the most of New Zealand. UK travellers visit an average of fi ve regions, making them one of the most widely travelled markets. New Zealand’s typical customer profi le
is very varied, helping its underlying growth, with friends and family to backpackers on working visas and retirees on month long driving holidays. Tourism New Zealand has been focusing on high-net-worth individuals as part of its premium strategy which highlights luxury lodges, premium activities, superyacht charters, cruising and bespoke experiences. The diversity of travel experiences from
snow-clad mountains to rolling plains, unspoiled white (and black) sand beaches, volcanic plateaus and vibrant urban centres, all within a country a similar size to the UK, is a really unique selling point of New Zealand.
This page: Biking in the Bay of Plenty. Next page: driving the South Island’s west coast; a kiwi cuddle at The Farm Cape Kidnappers sacntuary; a traditonal ‘hongi’ or Maori greeting. Last page: Te Whau vineyard on Waiheke Island; bungee jumping from The Ledge, Queenstown
ANDY BELCHER
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