Tuesday 28 June 2016 Issue 3338

I n c o r p o r a t i n g Ta b s o n Tr a v e l

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In Cinemas 23 June

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Europe Unrest Not Deterring KiwisDespite unrest and what seems to be an increasing number of terrorist attacks, ‘resilient’ Kiwi travellers are still visiting Europe, say industry sources. The latest Global Peace Index shows that while Europe was once again ranked the most peaceful region in the world, with Iceland, Denmark and Austria remaining the highest-ranking countries, the average score deteriorated, ‘reflecting increases in the impact of terrorism as well as the escalation of violence and instability in Turkey and the coun-try’s deteriorating relations with its neighbours’.However, the situation doesn’t seem to be dampening Kiwi interest in travel to the continent.

. . . Local ResponseFlight Centre New Zealand general manager retail Sue Matson says on the whole, New Zealanders are ‘quite resilient’. “While these tragedies have certainly made travellers more vigilant, aside from directly after the attacks, we haven’t seen this impact on the number of Kiwis travelling to Europe. In fact, France has seen growth in the last 12 months com-pared to the year prior.” Matson adds that Spain, Germany and Greece have also seen ‘considerable growth’ in bookings during the past 12 months. Contiki’s bookings mirror this senti-ment and it says ‘Europe will always

be on the travel bucket list for young Kiwis’. In response to demand, the youth operator has this year intro-duced new itineraries to Iceland, the Balkans and the Mediterranean. In turn, while House of Travel hasn’t seen any significant growth as such, travel to Europe has re-mained steady and in line with 2014 and 2015, says commercial director Brent Thomas. However, he notes that numbers for Turkey are down, but attributes some of that to the 100th ANZAC commemorations. “We saw a large spike in travel to Turkey last year, which has created a bit of a vacuum this year—if you were going to travel to Turkey, last year was the time to go.” Thomas advises clients to refer to advice on the Government’s safe travel website before embarking on a holiday. See safetravel.co.nz

Tinder For AirportsA new app which is being dubbed ‘tinder for airports’ allows travellers to use their transit time to meet new friends, make business connections or even offer up a guest lounge pass. The makers of the Btrfly app say they were ‘tired of sitting around life-less airport terminals, watching the seconds tick past before and during each flight’, and wanted to ‘transform air travel into a valuable opportunity to make new friends and business contacts’. See btrfly.net

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ANTARCTICAThe end of the world is just the beginning

2017/18 dates released.

EU Clears Marriott DealThe European Union has given the green light for Marriott to acquire Starwood, with the European Com-mission saying its investigation showed the hotel sector will remain competitive following the merger. The deal is still subject to obtaining additional antitrust clearances, in-cluding in China, and satisfying other conditions in the agreement—how-ever the EU clearance was a major condition, says Marriott. It’s expected the transaction will close in Jul.

QF Is On SnapChatQantas has joined SnapChat in a bid to give users an exclusive look at what goes on behind-the-scenes. Posting every fortnight, QF employees, from its pilots, cabin crew and engineers to lounge employees, Rockpool mixolo-gists and chefs, will take over the ac-count and give SnapChat users a look at their everyday life on the job. Users can now add Qantas as a friend.

Jani Buys HoT PonsonbyHouse of Travel Mt Eden owner operator, Hemal Jani, has purchased the HoT Ponsonby store and takes ownership 01 Jul, advises the retail chain.“Ponsonby and Mt Eden will be treat-ed as one business operating out of two locations once Hemal takes ownership of Ponsonby on 01 Jul,” says House of Travel commercial director Brent Thomas. “Our Ponsonby store has a huge potential for growth, so this is a really exciting opportunity for Hemal and the whole team.”Hemal will be working out of both stores from 01 Jul, working towards a more integrated model between the two stores, adds HoT.

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Pacific Is. CodeshareSolomon Airlines, Air Niugini and Air Vanuatu will commence operation of a codeshare service linking all three destinations from 01 Jul. The new ser-vice will operate from Port Moresby to Honiara on a Fri, Sun, Tue and Thu; and ex Honiara to Port Moresby on a Sat, Mon, Wed and Fri; while a weekly Honiara-Port Vila service will operate on a Tue, returning on a Wed.

EK Hosts Trade To ABs Emirates hosted southern agents to the All Blacks vs Wales test match in Dunedin at the week-end. Pictured from left is: Sarah Newbould, HoT Dunedin; Andrew Campbell, Flight Centre; Saman-tha Gittoes, STA Dunedin; Briar Nash, Emirates; Natalie Langley, STA Dunedin; Bruce Hayman Orbit Dunedin; and Janine Mallon The Travel Brokers.

Air New Zealand has taken out both the international and do-mestic airline titles in the fifth annual Roy Morgan New Zealand Customer Satisfaction Awards, held in Auckland overnight.“Air New Zealand scored a rare double: the airline not only contin-ued its streak as the top domestic airline, but finally pipped Emirates to claim international airline too,” says Roy Morgan.The awards are judged on surveys of more than 13,000 Kiwi consumers carried out throughout the year.NZ says the latest awards reflects its ‘re-lentless focus’ on customer experience.“We operate in one of the world’s

most competitive industries and delivering a seamless experience to our customers, irrespective of where on our network they are travelling, is something we pride ourselves on,” says gm customer experience Carrie Hurihanganui. “We have been very focused on enhancing our customers’ journeys, including making sub-stantial investments in new aircraft, new and refreshed lounges, and in-novative technology. It’s great to see these efforts being recognised by our customers.”

UK/Europe From $2111Emirates has tactical UK/Europe economy fares from $2111 return, for sales to 08 Jul and low season depar-tures 26 Sep-30 Nov or 16 Jan-14 Apr 2017. Bologna is from $2115; Moscow from $2111; Amsterdam from $2116; Barcelona from $2263; and Paris from $2161, to name a few. Business class fares are also available for a minimum of two passengers, and a maximum of nine, starting from $7801, for depar-tures 16 Jul-30 Apr 2017. The GDS has been updated.

NZD/GBP Hits A HighThe NZD has hit a three-year high against the GBP as economic un-certainty continues in the UK fol-lowing its decision to leave the EU. The NZD reached GBP0.5367 over-night, which was its highest level since May 2013. It was trading at GBP0.5286 this afternoon.

Air NZ Tops Satisfaction Survey

More Sniffer DogsCustoms detector dogs have proved their worth by sniffing out almost $10 million in undeclared and concealed cash at the border in the three years since they were introduced—and the government now wants more of the pups.“Budget 2016 has allocated over $500,000 funding for five addition-al dogs bringing the total number of detection teams from 13 to 18,” says Customs Minister Nicky Wagner. “This will be a big boost to Customs’ detection capabilities and help provide greater coverage, more assurance, and an extra layer of enforcement at the border.”Last year, detector dogs made 202 cash indications, sniffing out more than $3.7 million, and this year they’ve already sniffed out just over $1.5 million. In most cases, passengers have been able to fill in a border cash report and keep their money, adds Wagner.

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Airways MoUAirways New Zealand and UK-based NATS have signed a Memorandum of Understanding setting the founda-tion for collaboration between the two. The deal is aimed at enhancing air traffic management capabilities and will allow the exchange of infor-mation and expertise while opening the way for collaboration on planning and research. “In Asia Pacific particu-larly, we are facing an unprecedented level of air traffic growth and given the cross border nature of air traffic management, this kind of joint ap-proach is necessary to achieve the full potential of safe, efficient and sustainable operations,” says Airways chief executive Ed Sims.

LH Gets ConnectedLufthansa’s first short- and medium-haul aircraft with broadband internet on board will take off in Oct, and the carrier’s entire A320 family fleet is expected to have the technology installed by mid-2018. Passengers will be able to access the Wi-Fi using their own devices, and at a later date they’ll be able to use their phones for SMS, says LH.

ET Welcomes A350Ethiopian Airlines has taken delivery of it its first A350 XWB aircraft, in a move that it hopes will expand its service quality, in particular on its long-haul flights.

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IndustryDiaryJUNEGlobus family of brands, Rocky Mountaineer 2017 “The Americas” SeasonAuckland, North: Tue 28, Takapuna Boating Club,1745. Wellington: Tue 28, Lone Star Café, 1745.Nelson: Wed 29, Lone Star Café 1745. Blenheim: Thu 30, Ten Pin Bowling, 1745.

JULY Globus family of brands, Rocky Mountaineer, 2017 “The Americas” Season Invercargill: Mon 04, Kelvin Hotel, 1745.Dunedin: Tue 05, Lone Star Café, 1745.Christchurch: Wed 06, Lone Star Café, 1745. Hamilton: Mon 18, Hamilton Gardens Café, 1745.Tauranga: Tue 19, Macau, 1745.Napier: The Crown Hotel, 1745.

Hong Kong Airlines “Fresh + very Hong Kong” Agent seminars Auckland Central: Tue 05 Novotel Hotel Ellerslie, 1800.Auckland North: Wed 06, Spencer on Byron Takapuna, 1800.

AUGUSTSPANTO roadshowPalmerston North: Tue 09, The Distinction Hotel. Time tba.New Plymouth: Wed 10, The Novotel. Time tba.

SEPTEMBERBula Marau Fiji Roadshow - Couples & LuxuryTauranga: Mon 05, Mills Reef Winery, 0700-0930.Hamilton: Mon 05, Ferrybank Reception Centre, 1730-2015.Christchurch: Tue 06, Peppers Clearwater Resort, 1730-2015.Wellington: Wed 07, InterContinental Hotel, 1730-2015.Auckland: Thu 08, Pullman Hotel, 1730-2015.Auckland North Shore: Fri 09, QBE Stadium, 0700-0930.

HA Wholesale FaresHawaiian Airlines has wholesale fares on sale until 11 Jul, to Honolulu and six neighbour island ports. Economy and business class flights are available, wholesalers have details.

MEL’s Winter EventsThere’s plenty of events scheduled throughout Melbourne this winter, making it a great time to visit the city, says Tourism Victoria. Highlights include the Queen Victoria Night Markets, held every Wed 1700-2200 through till 31 Aug; while the Ger-trude St Projection Festival will be held 25-31 Jul. In addition, Bendigo Art Gallery will exhibit works from renowned Australian fashion designer Toni Maticevski 13-20 Nov, in a world first; while the NGV, in collaboration with New York’s Museum of Mod-ern Art will bring Masterworks from MoMA to the city 08 Jun-07 Oct 2018.

BFG Britain HighlightsVisitBritain has teamed up with Disney to launch its international ‘Where Giant Dreams come to Life’ film tourism campaign in celebration of the 100th anniver-sary of Roald Dahl’s birth and in the run-up to the launch of the film adaption of The BFG. The GBP350,000 six-week digital and social media campaign will show a selection of filming locations throughout Britain such as the Isle of Skye as well as other land-marks like the lions in Trafalgar Square and Big Ben. The cam-paign will be further promoted through the hashtag, #OMGB.

They’ve been covered in mud from head to toe and bathed in the trop-ical Muri lagoon and southern agents on a Cook Islands famil have given the destination the thumbs up for a winter escape.The consultants won a place on the famil through an incentive offered in conjunction with Virgin Australia, Christchurch Airport and Cook Is-lands Tourism to celebrate VA’s new seasonal Christchurch-Rarotonga flights which commenced on Sat and

operates through to 08 Oct (departing at 1400 each Sat).“We are very pleased with the level of demand for the new service and with the support of the trade in promoting and selling the Cook’s out of the South Island,” says VA New Zealand sales manager Mark Freeman. “Launching a seasonal direct service has clearly been appreciated by our South Island customers. This new service, coupled with our extensive operation from Auckland to Rarotonga, continues to demonstrate our commitment to this important VA market.”The group got up close and personal with the Cooks on a fun (and mud) filled Raro Buggy Tour which took in a number of local attractions around Rarotonga—off-road and on-road.1 Pictured from back left is, Kate Pritchard, Flight Centre Northwood; Tanya Bedford , HoT Motueka; Chris-tine Gilliver, HoT Hornby; Melanie Peacock, YOU Travel Ferrymead; Bron Talbot, Flight Centre Ashburton; Jan-ice Davies, World Travellers CHC; Shelby Darlow, STA Riccarton; Eli Devlin, Flight Centre Dunedin; Bridget Ryan, Flight Centre The Palms. Front row, Gareth Williamson, Christchurch Airport; Amy Nichols, HoT Shirley; Terry Wakefield VA.2 Enjoying the popular Muri Beach Lagoon during a Captain Tama La-goon Cruise is, from left: Eli Devlin, Gareth Williamson, Shelby Darlow, Bron Talbot, Christine Gilliver, Birdget Ryan, Tanya Bedford, Melanie Pea-cock, Amy Nichols, Kate Pritchard, Janice Davies and Terry Wakefield.

Southern Agents Discover The Cooks

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She’s back! Colour in Dory and her friends to win.Qantas is excited to be partnering with The Walt Disney Company for the launch of Disney . Pixar’s Finding Dory, the latest film that welcomes everyone’s favourite and forgetful blue tang Dory back to the big screen.

To celebrate the release of Finding Dory, in cinemas now, we are giving away 50 double passes to the movie and a chance for one lucky family to win return flights for four to Queensland.

For full details and to download the Finding Dory colouring competition, visit qantas.co.nz/agents.

©2016 Disney/Pixar

In Cinemas 23 June

Travel Today, Tuesday 28 June 2016 Page 4