New Zealand NOW

 

Written By: Michelle Rosenberg, Senior Trade Manager, Tourism New Zealand

 

New Zealand is HOT… Access the new sales toolbox and start selling! 

 

 

New Zealand is “Hot!” You may recall the destination gained world-wide attention following the release of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogy blockbusters, but more recently the New Zealand has garnered attention as the “it” travel destination, thanks to a host of welcoming social, culinary and environmental attributes.  

 

Everyone from Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to Oprah Winfrey have commented, tweeted or posted on the excitement of our destination. In fact, Tourism New Zealand estimates that there are currently about 28 million US consumers who are genuinely interested, right now, to experience New Zealand. What’s more, they have the time and discretionary income to book! 

 

New Zealand is a small country with a big heart. We have a unique history, a vibrant culture and a seemingly unending host of things to do – much of it outdoors in our famously-beautiful and unspoiled natural land. 

 

Tourism New Zealand wants to help you get inspired to sell our multi-faceted destination. So, we have rolled out a number of sales resources as part of our North American travel trade toolkit. On the following pages you learn how you can become a certified New Zealand specialist, take advantage of our new Explore PLUS independent FAM trip, attend training seminars, and utilize sales and marketing materials. 

 

100% Pure New Zealand Specialist Program 

In June of this year, Tourism New Zealand rolled out an upgrade to its popular specialist program. Now travel agents can achieve one of four accreditation levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Lifetime. Housed on www.traveltrade.newzealand.com/en-us/   the New Zealand Specialist Program provides an in-depth look at the destination, its popular travel regions, transportation options, seasonal activities, culinary offerings and much, much more. Agents enroll and make their way through a library of training modules/chapters. Content is designed specifically to address the sales questions your clients might bring you.  

 

Once you’ve achieved Bronze status, you’ll start receiving special Tourism New Zealand benefits, including: 

• Travel agent business listing and referrals on our consumer website, newzealand.com
• The knowledge of New Zealand regions and attractions, enabling you to build must-do itineraries for your clients
• Exclusive invitations to Tourism New Zealand events in your area
• FAM opportunities
• 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist logo

 

Explore PLUS Independent FAM Program 

You’re invited to New Zealand 

 

We realize the best way for us to help you sell New Zealand is to bring you to our wonderful destination so you can experience it first-hand. We’re confident once you’ve experienced the majesty, food & wine and friendly welcome of New Zealand, you’ll put it on the top of your clients’ recommended travel locations.  

 

Tourism New Zealand has designed an independent FAM program that provides you special agent airfares, as well as a New Zealand Explore Pass, which provides over 1000 free and/or discounted offers for ground transportation, accommodations, activities and attractions. And, the Explore PLUS program allows you to bring along a spouse or friend so you can enjoy the destination with someone special. 

  

Webinars  

Tourism New Zealand holds monthly webinars to keep you updated on new products, special interests, and regional news. Hosted by one of our US-based Trade Development Executives, programs routinely feature presentations by various New Zealand suppliers.  These 45-minute programs are live broadcast and allow you the opportunity to ask questions of our presenters. Spend your lunchtime gaining insights into why New Zealand is a must-visit destination. 

 

Upcoming programs include: 

• Thursday, October 19: Maori Cultural Experiences
• Thursday, November 2: New Zealand 101
• Thursday, November 16: New Zealand’s Luxury Experiences
• Thursday, December 14: Regional Updates

 

For a current list of all upcoming webinars, please visit www.traveltrade.newzealand.com/en-us/training/upcoming-webinars/  

 

US Travel Trade eNewsletter 

Sign up for the Tourism New Zealand Trade eNewsletter to receive our latest market insights, in-market activity, announcements and reminders about upcoming events and available resources. We value your partnership in selling destination New Zealand and our eNewsletter is a key way to stay in touch. Sign up today for this monthly alert, featuring: 

• Industry and campaign news
• Latest visitor arrival updates
• New marketing resources and tools available

  

Luxury Experiences 

New Zealand offers bespoke and authentic luxury experiences in stunning natural settings hosted by our genuinely warm and welcoming people. Ours is a destination perfect for even the most discerning of premium travelers.  

 

Our luxury experiences cater to all tastes, set amongst a backdrop of breath-taking landscapes – from heli-picnics atop soaring mountains to personal chefs being helicoptered directly to your client’s charter boat, or private tastings at New Zealand’s best wineries. After a day of languid pampering or exhilarating activities, travellers can wind down at one of New Zealand’s finest lodges, discovering for themselves how nature meets luxury and how the warm and genuine hosts create a relaxed luxury experience. Your clients will return home relaxed and fulfilled, knowing that they’ve have just had a one-of-a-kind experience. 

 

To assist you in crafting an unforgettable and unique luxury New Zealand travel experience, we’ve created the luxury travel online information center. The website, www.newzealand.com/us/luxury/, features information on top luxury experiences, Luxury Lodges, super yacht cruising and travel suggestions to various New Zealand regions. 

 

Sample Itineraries 

Want to inspire you clients and demonstrate why most US travellers spend two weeks exploring our islands? Check out sample itineraries at http://traveltrade.newzealand.com/en-us/planning-trips/itineraries/ .  Suggestions range from 15-day to 5-day, and include a range of on- and off-the-beaten track locals and activities. A search tool allows you to filter your search by length, region, and topic/theme. 

 

As an example, if you search for a 7-day Middle-Earth suggestion, you’ll be served up an itinerary featuring Wellington, Nelson, Blenheim, Kaikoura and Christchurch. Search for a 10-day Honeymoon suggestion and you’ll receive a suggestion featuring Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown, Wanaka and Christchurch. 

 

Itineraries include drive and flight times, route map, and day-by-day travel plans and recommended activities. Everything you’ll need to find inspiration and wow your clients! 

 

Sales Collateral & Visual Library 

Tourism New Zealand wants to help you look like a dynamic marketer and sales professional. Our www.traveltrade.newzealand/en-us/ website offers downloadable marketing materials, print order request for the comprehensive New Zealand travel map, video library and image library. 

Need quality images for use in promotions and social media posts, check out our visuals library where you can search for photos and videos by “Top Picks”, region and category.  Simply agree to the usage terms, download and launch your marketing effort!