Data Loading...
TravelToday-4371-11NOV20 Flipbook PDF
TravelToday-4371-11NOV20
116 Views
53 Downloads
FLIP PDF 1.58MB
GET POLARISED EXPLORE ANTARCTICA IN 2021-22
I n c o r p o r a t i n g Ta b s o n Tr a v e l
Wednesday 11 November 2020
Issue 4371
Fly Well - new wellbeing measures at the airport and onboard
Tollman Urges Trade To ‘Seize This Day’ Like many of the days that have changed history, 09 Nov 2020 is a day that Gavin Tollman, The Travel Corporation’s ceo of Trafalgar, Costsaver and Brendan Vacations, says he will never forget. “Yesterday’s announcement that drug manufac turers Pfizer/ BioNTech are inching tangibly closer to a confirmed, effective vaccination for C-19 was one so many of us have been dreaming of as we have dragged ourselves through the dark days that have defined the entirety of 2020,” says Tollman (pictured). “Although recognising that there is a long way to go, finally, a much-needed glimmer of hope for our industry and the world at large, seems very close.” “This is the kind of seismic good news that we all have been waiting for since this virus upended our lives, our businesses and our freedoms,” adds a cautiously optimistic Tollman. Pending its approval and release, the drug companies reportedly hope to produce enough vaccine to protect
5 Pages This Issue News..........................................p1-3,4 Viking.............................................. p2 Domestic......................................... p5
25 million people this year, and up to 1.3 billion doses in 2021. “We can only hope and pray for its success,” says Tollman. While the TTC leader acknowledges that the advent of a vaccine doesn’t mean C-19 is eliminated, he says an accessible vaccine will offer those in the travel industry a real solution to start planning its steps to rebuild the world, the industry, and establishing a new normal. “Bill Gruber, one of Pfizer’s top vaccine scientists was quoted as being ‘near-ecstatic’ and we in the travel industry, and wider world, should be too,” says Tollman. “Even though governments are exercising caution and the need for patience, the message we have to take from this news is one of confidence. Importantly uniting loved ones, rebuilding livelihoods and economies and connecting people to the joy of travel once again.”
. . . Seize The Day
In light of the vaccine news Tollman is encouraging TTC’s staff and its ‘valued trade partners around the world’ to ‘seize this day’. “That pent-up demand that we have been sensing, hearing and predicting is palpable now,” he adds.
Reach Out To Clients
This year has highlighted the need for personal connection, says The Travel Corporation’s Gavin Tollman, who—on the back of the vaccine advancements—is urging Kiwi agents to reach out to see how they can help their clients get to where they want to go next year. “We thrive on personal relationships, and closer to home or further afield, the opportunities to connect to the joy of travel, and to the locals who are waiting patiently to welcome travellers again, are there for the taking…,” he says. However, Tollman acknowledges the need to go slow, and act with caution. “We are not ignorant to the fact that people are and will be cautious, which is only natural after the havoc and destruction that the virus has rippled through our world.,” he says. “Now, more than ever before, travelling with someone you can trust to put your wellbeing needs first is of the utmost importance,” he says. “People need to know they can feel confident and still do the things they love as we rebuild our world again. Combined with a vaccine, Tollman says he feels confident ‘in the steps, pivots and incredible amount of work that have taken place to ensure that as an industry, we are operating to the most exemplary, enhanced health and safety protocols’.
RCI Extends Pause
Royal Caribbean International has paused its sailings in Australia and New Zealand to 31 Jan.
Vaccine Here Early ‘21?
Minister of Research, Science and Innovation Megan Woods says that provided the Pfizer vaccine is approved for use in New Zealand by Medsafe, it is possible that some doses of the market-leading vaccine will be available to us in the first part of 2021. The New Zealand Ministry of Health is also developing a sequencing framework to guide the rollout of the vaccines as they become available. There are three broad groups being considered first for the vaccine in New Zealand. Those at risk of spreading C-19, those at risk of contracting C-19 and those at risk of increased morbidity and mortality associated with C-19.
Travel Stocks Rally
Share prices across aviation, cruise line and travel companies spiked around the world yesterday following the news of the C-19 vaccine progress. While there has been some market correction today, and some analysts says the market reaction could be ‘a little previous’, it’s certainly a glimmer of hope. At the same time other financial market reports are also tipping a surge in flight bookings following the news around the vaccine advances.
. . . Capital Raising
Meanwhile, Flight Centre (who’s share price also jumped yesterday) is hoping to raise AUD400 million through the sale of senior unsecured convertible notes via the ASX.
W H E R E YO U ’ L L F I N D T H E F R I E N D L I E S T LO C A L S READ MORE
Explore The
…..THE NEXT PHASE IS HER E….. The next phase of Viking’s national Explore the Viking Way campaign is here, and you’re invited to leverage the extensive marketing activity underway including: •
32 page “Explore the Viking Way” catalogue inserted in the New Zealand Herald and distributed through select regions
•
Customised E-version developed for agents to use direct to clients
•
Complemented with additional print press advertising, and activity across all marketing channels in a bid to get those phones ringing
Plus, we give your clients the confidence to book their 2021, 2022 and 2023 cruise with our: •
Risk-Free Guarantee extended to all bookings made before 31 October 2020
•
Special offers including savings of up to $5,000 per couple when booked before 30 November 2020
•
Deposits of just $500 per person
•
New 2022 and 2023 itineraries and sailing dates now available
Join this pioneering cruise campaign today by visiting the Marketing Centre to learn more and secure the latest assets and resources. CLICK HERE TO ACCESS MARKETING TOOLS
NO KIDS | NO C ASINOS | NO NCFS | NO COMPARISON
Travel Today, Wednesday 11 November 2020 Page 2
News & Product
Wed 11 Nov 20
p3
Flighties TMC Wins
Flight Centre’s corporate travel brand FCM Travel Solutions has been named Oceania’s Leading Travel Management company in the World Travel Awards. Local Flight Centre corporate gm Nick Queale says it’s an outstanding achievement for FCM, particularly in an extraordinary year when the global pandemic has caused such a challenging and unprecedented effect on the business travel sector. “This award reflects the exceptional travel management services, professionalism and value that our people provide for our customers in Aotearoa at all times,” he adds.
KE Schedule
Korean Air is operateing two return flights a month to Feb. AucklandSeoul-Incheon (KE130) will depart 12 and 26 Nov, 03 and 17 Dec, 14 and 28 Jan, 11 and 25 Feb. ICN-AKL (KE129) will depart 24 Nov, 01 and 15 Dec, 12 and 26 Jan, 09 and 23 Feb. All passengers must meet departing and arriving government requirements and restrictions. Details see the GDS.
ATEED Talks Up New Agent Focus Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) is looking at the Kiwi travel trade in new light, as it works to attract more New Zealanders to visit. ATEED programme manager Annie Dundas says the RTO is looking at how it can engage more with the local trade distribution, across its tourism product and events. “We’re always learning, and always keen to help those who are willing to promote Auckland,” says Dundas. “[The trade is] a channel that we are keen to pursue a little more strongly.” ATEED is still formulating its trade strategy and is asking agents for feedback. “What we’d love to know what products you are looking for, for AKL,” says Dundas. “We don’t want AKL to be considered a gateway, we have so much more going on,” she says. “The city is one amazing proposition and it’s getting better and better every day with new openings, new hotels, the roadworks decreasing and us having our waterfront back.” ATEED is inviting agents to e-mail [email protected]
Dubai Connect Opens
to have a say in how the RTO supports the trade, or what they’d like to learn more about. The RTO is also looking to run project workshops, highlighting some of the new product on offer.
. . . Collateral
Agents can access Auckland product details via auckandnz.com—and Dundas encourages even those who think they are familiar with the city’s tourism offerings to visit, as she says ‘there is so much fantastic new product coming on-line’. “Despite C-19, we’ve never had more hotels opening,” says Dundas, such as the Park Hyatt and QT. She also highlights two new experiences; Weta Workshop and the All Black Experience. Agents can also access ATEED’s campaign assets via the site. “We are obviously very keen and eager to make sure New Zealanders know what great stuff we have on offer here in Auckland,” adds Dundas.
Emirates is relaunching its Dubai Connect (STPC) product. The carrier has updated the qualification criteria for Dubai Connect, and says all bookings/ tickets (existing or new) qualify on the new criteria from 10 Nov. The booking system for qualification and bookings for Dubai Connect will open 10 Nov 1400DXB local time, and Dubai Connect bookings will be accepted for travel from 14 Nov. The minimum transit time for EK’s First Class, Business Class and Economy Class passengers is now 10 hours, while the best available connect logic remains the same. The package still includes hotel accommodation, a UAE visa on arrival for those that require one, transport between the airport and the hotel in Dubai and one meal, based on the check in time, at the allocated hotel. Clients that require a secondary PCR test on arrival in Dubai, will not be eligible for the Dubai Connect package, it adds.
No ‘Lift’ Off At WLG
The lift in Wellington Airport’s main terminal near check-in is closed to 30 Nov due to upgrades, advises WLG.
EXPLORE IN LUXURY, CLOSE TO HOME In the summer of 2021/2022, we are excited to bring not one, but two guest favourites to New Zealand and Australian waters for the first time. The award winning, reimagined Silver Shadow will arrive for her first complete season in our region, to be shortly followed by the beautiful Silversea flagship, Silver Muse. To celebrate these two stunning, innovative ships and their local itineraries, bookings made before 30 November on select sailings can enjoy included business class flights*. EARLY BOOKING BONUS Save 10% on full cruise fare when booked and paid before 14 December, 2020
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND — AIR OFFER*
DISCOVER AUTHENTIC BEAUTY CLOSE TO HOME ALL-INCLUSIVE BUSINESS CLASS PACKAGES FOR SILVER SHADOW & SILVER MUSE 2021–2022 SUMMER SAILINGS
Included business class air roundtrip on select sailings* or included economy class air roundtrip and upgrade to business class from au$1,298pp Included transfers and baggage handling
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL OFFERS & VOYAGES FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR SILVERSEA BDM OR OUR LOCAL RESERVATIONS TEAM ON 0800 701 427 OR +61 2 9255 0600 | SILVERSEA.COM *T&Cs apply, visit www.silversea.com/terms-and-conditions.html
News & Product
Wed 11 Nov 20
p4
Northern Exposure 2021
Fifty Degrees North has released four Northern Lights small group tours for the 2021-2022 season and clients can pay $100 deposit for sales to 31 Jan. The tours include a 15-day Follow the Northern Lights, from $8200pp twin share; Chase the Northern Lights (14 days) from $7700pp t/s; Aurora Highlights from $5300pp t/s for eight days and the 11-day premium tour, Lapland Circle from $10,600pp t/s. All prices are land-only. Visit fiftydegreesnorth.com Clients can pay 20% deposit 150 days pre departure and the balance 70 days prior. Company founder Tietse Stelma says its plans for 2021 are based on the assumption that it will once again be safe to travel by late 2021 and early 2022. “With $100 deposit to secure a spot, people won’t need to worry about any additional decisions until 150 days prior, at which time we should know if tour operations can proceed in a safe and confident manner,” he adds.
Oz Call For An Eightday Quarantine? Research by Australia’s The Burnet Institute is proposing an eight-day C-19 quarantine period, while vaccine trials continue. The institute has developed a traQ (Transparent Risk Assessment of Quarantine) model, which found that governments can effectively and safely reduce quarantine periods for travellers, using a combination of a risk assessment approach of each country of origin with enhanced PCR testing. If implemented, the model would see the 14-day mandatory quarantine period cut to seven or eight days for many (but not all) travellers arriving
The Viking Way
Viking Cruises reminds agents that its Explore The Viking Way sale, offering clients up to AUD5000 off on select 2022 and 2023 ocean and river cruise itineraries, is on to 30 Nov. Highlighted voyages include the 15-day Grand European Cruise, ex Budapest to Amsterdam, now from AUD5995 pp including flights up to the value of AUD1800pp; the 29-day Baltic Jewels & the Midnight Sun voyage ex Stockholm to London, priced from AUD18,495pp; and the 13-day Antarctic Explorer, roundtrip from Buenos Aires, priced from AUD20,995 pp. See vikingcruises. com.au/cruise-offers.html
Know any-one made redundant from the travel industry? Tell them they can still keep in touch with Travel Today’s ‘real’ industry news, either by: z The special free Covid subscription, or the z Popular Travel Today Facebook page Click Here for Special Free Covid Subscription Only available to ex-travel industry. Conditions may apply.
Click Here
Have you told us about your ‘side hustle’? Click Here
from places of origin categorised as being of moderate or low-risk. Meanwhile, those from low risk countries, such as New Zealand and Thailand, could serve no quarantine period, but will likely still require pre-travel testing and a routine PCR test on arrival, it adds.
. . . A Market Boost
The report found that the significantly shortened quarantine period would provide a boost to those which implemented this model. Study lead and Burnet Institute deputy director Professor Margaret Hellard says the traQ models shows that the opening of borders nationally and internationally can be done safely, while not impacting on community transmission of C-19. Her comments were echoed by Burnet ceo Professor Brendan Crabb, who says while a 14-day quarantine has served us well, ‘it is a blunt instrument that comes at a high economic and social cost’.
The Turkey Trot
Visit Utah’s Walker Tracker Challenge next challenge is The Turkey Trot 5k, to celebrate American Thanksgiving. To be in to win one of two $200 gift cards, agents need to walk at least 5km on 26 Nov, and post a walking picture to their news feed on the Visit Utah Walker Tracker app. See visitutah.walkertracker.com/
New At QT Auckland
Joining QT Auckland gm Doron Whaite and creative director of food and beverage, Sean Connolly is Ruby Binning (food and beverage manager), Roberto Giampaolo, (bar manager) James Laird (executive chef) and Riccardo Del Noce (restaurant manager).
Jersey Boys Deals
Hit Broadway show Jersey Boys is coming to New Zealand Apr-Jun 2021 and AIM Holidays has packages for Auckland (17 Apr-09 May) and Wellington (21 May-06 Jun). AKL show deals are from $249pp, including a one-night stay at Waldorf Tetra Serviced Apartments and a category 2 ticket for the show; while the Wellington package is from $269pp for a night at Trinity Hotel Wellington and a category 2 ticket for the show. Clients can upgrade their ticket for an additional $25. See aimholidays.co.nz
Aqua Webinar
Aqua Expeditions is staging a live agent webinar, 24 Nov from 1600, advises Francis Travel Marketing. Hosted by Aqua Blu cruise director, Glenn Wappett, the update will cover its Indonesia cruises, from the Spice Islands to UNESCO World Heritage Site Komodo National Park and Raja Ampat. Register HERE.
www.expedia.co.nz/taap
telephone 0800 452 151 option 2 email expedia-nz@ discovertheworld.co.nz
Domestic BUSINESS Wed 11 Nov 2020
p5
I nc or por at i n g Ta b s O n Tr ave l
In corp oratin g Tab s On Travel
Scenic Sees Kiwi Demand At Home
Scenic’s Pristine Wonders of New Zealand 2021/2022 programme features seven itineraries from six to 24 days across the country, as the company looks to capitalise on the increased demand for domestic tours moving forward. There’s tours which explore multiple regions, or in-depth trips focusing on one area, such as the Bay of Islands. “Whilst we wouldn’t normally see much interest in our New Zealand
Explore Rakiura
Viva’ Expeditions is reporting strong demand for Stewart Island. The wholesaler has a seven-day Explore Rakiura-Stewart Island package, which it says allows clients to take their time and enjoy the ‘simpler and slower lifestyle’ of Stewart Island. Highlights include a scenic flight ex Invercargill, passing over Oreti Beach and Foveaux Strait, night-time Kiwi spotting, a tour of the predator-free Ulva Island, and hiking in Port William and Maori Beach with a local guide. Prices start from $2465pp, including six nights’ accommodation, daily breakfast, return flights, transfers and aforementioned activities. Learn more HERE.
based tours, this year everything is different,” says Scenic’s New Zealand senior sales development manager Karyn Blenkiron. “We have had several enquiries from both agents and our past passengers asking for our New Zealand tours and it is great that we can now offer them for 2021 and 2022 to our New Zealand clients.”
. . . The Tours
Scenic’s 12-day Southern Spectacular, is from $6545pp, twin share, ex Christchurch to Queenstown, Franz Joseph and Milford Sound. The 24-day Ultimate New Zealand, priced from $11,000pp twin share ex Auckland to Christchurch, with highlights such as Milford Sound, a stay at Hermitage Hotel Mt Cook, a Marlborough Sound cruise and wine tasting at Mission Estate. The local trips include local guides, accommodation ‘at the finest hotels available’, and Scenic Freechoice sightseeing and Scenic Enrich experiences. Clients can save up to $800 per couple, and access reduced deposits of $500pp, for sales to 26 Feb. For more, see the brochure HERE.
New At Lakeview
Wanaka’s Edgewater hotel is now offering a lakeview deluxe one-bedroom suite, similar to its one-bedroom apartments but with a larger bathroom (twin basins, twin nozzle shower and separate bath). The suites are commissionable and dynamically priced. For more details e-mail trish@ edgewater.co.nz
Spend less on flights, and more on fun Fly to Christchurch with Jetstar Book at
jetstar.com
South Island Showcase
Cosmos’ nine-night South Island showcase includes an overnight cruise in Milford Sound, a Tranz Alpine rail journey, a Glacier Valley Walk in Franz Josef and spirit sampling at Cardrona Distillery. The ex Christchurch to Queenstown trip also includes a cruise in Akaroa for a chance to spot the endangered Hector dolphin, plus an insight into traditional pounamu in Greymouth. With a maximum of 24 guests the trip is priced from $3965pp twin share and includes 5% discount valid on bookings by 31 Jan. It also includes free SafetyNet Travel Protection, allowing clients to change their booking 24 hours prior to departure, or cancel their booking 30 days from departure with no penalties. See cosmostours.co.nz/australia-andnew-zealand-tours
Moa’s Southern Beauty
MoaTours’ first Southern Beauty tour of the season has been declared a success. The nine-day tour explores iconic spots between Christchurch, Aoraki/Mt Cook, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Wanaka, Haast Pass, West Coast and Arthur’s Pass. Highlights from the initial tour included spotting a pod of humpback whales at the mouth of Milford Sound during the scenic flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown. While the remaining 2020 departures are full, MoaTours says there’s still room on its 2021 departures. Prices start from $5690pp twin share, for 15 Jan, 12 Feb, 12 Mar and 13 Apr departures. See moatours.co.nz/ group-tours/southern-beauty
Eco-friendly Waiheke
Waiheke Island has welcomed the first of its new electric bus fleet. Six of the eight electric buses purchased by Fullers360 have entered service and two more will join the fleet in Dec. The remaining nine buses in the 17-strong fleet will be replaced by electric buses as they reach their end of life.
Waimarama Maori Tours
For an authentic experience of living Maori culture and heritage Hawkes Bay Tourism recommends Waimarama Maori Tours. The commissionable, private tour is located just outside Napier in rural, coastal Waimarama. Clients spend time on the 62ha Hakikino Conservation Reserve, the historical birthplace of the Waimarama tribe. It is where the tribe still work today to preserve and protect their heritage through various community initiatives. Prices are from $150pp, see waimaramamaori.co.nz ISSN 1176-5275 Travel Today (incorporating Tabs on Travel) is published by Tabs on Travel Ltd, New Zealand. Ph +64-9-415 8111. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Click Here for Existing Subcription Updates © All contents are copyright, and must not be transmitted or copied without specific approval. PO Box 305-167, Triton Plaza, Auckland 0757, New Zealand. Bld F, 01-22 Triton Dr, Albany, Auckland 0132, New Zealand. Click Here for NEW Subscriptions