Typically, tourists have been travelling around FIT, with many in campervans, deciding on where to stay and what to do when they arrive in each town.  Our pre-RWC poll showed a skew towards poor forward bookings – however is this actually what has happened so far?

We’d love to have your vote on the poll below in regard to your September bookings received whether you are an activity or accommodation business. We will conduct a poll again at the end of the RWC in late October to get another overview.

Take the time to listen to all of his presentation taken from the TED “Ideas Worth Spreading” website. The key take out for your business or organisation? “Don’t just manage what you can measure.”

Keep an eye out for the next webinar coming soon…

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Space is limited.

Reserve your Webinar seat now at:

https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/787900846

Guest Speaker: Genevieve Atkinson, Fossick
Host: James Hacon, Kiwi Dreams

Title: Kiwi Dreams & Tourism Inudstry Blog: Tackling the subject of Review Sites
Date: Thursday, July 14, 2011
Time: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM NZST
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer

Enter your vote and comments.

When the time is right perhaps Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism or Tourism New Zealand should think about following a similar strategy, what do you think?

Described as an event to “celebrate the resilience of the local tourism industry” and the fact the aspects of the Christchurch tourism industry for both accommodation and activities are still open.

Being held at the Riccarton Racecourse on the 30th of April, backpacking tourists staying at seven local accommodation providers will be collected and transported to the event, where they will be welcomed by a multitude of entertainment and tourism operators offering great deals on their activities and attractions. Tourism operators have been invited to attend the event, set up displays and offer great specials to actual tourists in Christchurch in an attempt to generate business and revenue. Furthermore, it is hoped that the accommodation providers attending will receive additional bed nights as a result of the event and the enticing offers presented by the tourism operators.

A website has been created to highlight the event and to create some positive media attention for Christchurch (www.christchurchisopen.co.nz). Tourism and hospitality businesses will be able to list their business and any specials or last minute deals they are offering at no cost, with links to their websites or contact details. It is hoped that the site will become a portal after the event for directing tourists who are visiting or planning on visiting the area to use the tourism and hospitality businesses still operating in the Christchurch and Canterbury region, being enticed by the great specials on offer.

The Christchurch is Open event will also be live streamed on social media platforms so everyone who wants to, no matter where in the world they are, can join in on the party. There is no stronger marketing message than showing those contemplating visiting Christchurch actual footage of people having a great time. Furthermore, to assist those businesses attending the event with marketing and promotional material, they will be provided with any imagery, video and other content that they will be able to use in the marketing functions of their own operations.

There is no doubt that Christchurch has suffered much damage and there is a long road ahead. Some businesses will never recover and tourism demand will continue to be affected. However, this event is intended to create some much needed positive attention, implementing a platform to disseminate the message that Christchurch is Open and there are tourism and hospitality businesses ready and willing to welcome the tourist back; even if it is only for a day or two on their journeys throughout the South Island.

If you can help please do so using the following donation facility provided by www.givealittle.co.nz and goes direct to Bob Parkers Mayoral Fund.

Every little bit will help.

If you have any stories to share regarding the earthquake or would like to offer help to Christchurch tourism businesses please feel free to add your ideas and comments on this blog.

For the first time ever, TRENZ will be located in New Zealand’s strongest visitor region, showcasing the Southern Lakes. It will take place at the Queenstown Events Centre, 22-25 May 2011.

The new location is sure to be a powerful incentive for international travel and tourism buyers and media to make the time to travel to New Zealand for TRENZ 2011, Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) Chief Executive Tim Cossar says.

TIA manages TRENZ, which brings together selected New Zealand tourism operators (Exhibitors) with invited international travel and tourism buyers, and media. The event directly helps to grow New Zealand’s $9.5 billion international tourism industry. In 2011, the theme is “Book New Zealand”.

Southern Lakes chairman Dave Hawkey says hosting TRENZ 2011 is a significant opportunity for the region and its tourism operators.

“Hosting TRENZ 2011 will showcase the Southern Lakes region to influential tourism industry leaders and media, and provide a host of Buyers and Exhibitors the opportunity to experience this diverse and spectacular part of New Zealand. The three regions of Lake Wanaka, Queenstown and Fiordland combine to offer some of the most memorable landscapes and experiences New Zealand has to offer. This is the first time TRENZ has been held here in the Southern Lakes and we look forward to working with TIA in presenting another successful TRENZ to the world.”

The new location is bringing a host of other new features to New Zealand’s largest international tourism trade event.

TRENZ has traditionally been held in Auckland, Christchurch or Rotorua as these were the only centres with infrastructure to host such a big event which involves more than 1200 people. Moving to Queenstown offers fantastic new opportunities, Mr Cossar says.

“We want Buyers, Media and the New Zealand Exhibitors to experience the best of the Southern Lakes region. We’ve allocated a half day for delegates to get out and experience some of the region’s iconic tourism attractions for themselves. Strong famil programmes will help Buyers and Media get a real sense of the experiences available in the Southern Lakes,” Mr Cossar says.

“We’re also changing the format of some of the traditional TRENZ networking functions to allow delegates more time to enjoy some of the great things the region has to offer. This will provide more opportunities for New Zealand tourism operators to invite our international delegates out for drinks or dinner, extending their opportunities for doing business during the event.”

While the Queenstown Events Centre is the largest capacity venue in Queenstown, it does not have the same floor space as traditional TRENZ venues so Exhibitor booth sizes will be limited. Attendance fees for Exhibitors have been adjusted to reflect this.

Delegates will have the opportunity to schedule 51 fifteen minute business meetings during the three core days of TRENZ 2011. Unlike previous years, the event will begin on a Sunday and finish on a Wednesday. This will enhance the potential for international delegates to visit other areas of New Zealand before and after TRENZ.

“We have really tried to make some changes for TRENZ 2011. It will certainly be different to what delegates have experienced in the past,” Mr Cossar says.

Exhibitor applications for TRENZ 2011 will open on Thursday 25 November.

TRENZ is supported by Tourism New Zealand, Air New Zealand, Qantas, host region Southern Lakes and other industry partners.

2011 New Zealand Inbound Tourism Conference

The 2011 New Zealand Inbound Tourism Conference will be held 15-17 August 2011 at the Sebel Trinity Wharf in Tauranga. Recognised as New Zealand’s largest annual tourism conference, it attracts up to 250 tourism leaders from New Zealand and overseas.

Delegates include tour operators who collectively handle most of New Zealand’s packaged and group holiday visitor arrivals, making the conference a valuable opportunity to showcase the host region to the tourism industry.

Bay of Plenty won the right to host the 2011 New Zealand Inbound Tourism Conference from strong competition at the 2010 conference in Marlborough in August. The conference is organised by ITOC and Chief Executive Paul Yeo says he is working closely with Tourism Bay of Plenty to put together an exciting programme for delegates.

“I know many are looking forward to exploring the region both before and after the conference, and I’m confident it will give the region a significant boost to their international tourism marketing.”

The main plenary conference sessions will be hosted at the Sebel Trinity Wharf hotel. Venues for the Welcome Function and gala awards event, at which the ITOC Operator of the Year award is presented, will be announced next month.

While the conference remains the major annual event for ITOC members, who comprise inbound tour operators as well as national and regional product suppliers, it is also open to non-members from the wider tourism industry.

Based on feedback from the previous conference there will be an added focus on providing additional business to business marketing opportunities for ITOC delegate members. A highlight of the conference is the Market Updates provided by Tourism New Zealand who have once again committed to being involved.

The event will also celebrate ITOC’s 40^th anniversary.

Registrations for the conference will open in mid-2011 but accommodation bookings are available at a number of participating hotels in both Tauranga and Mount Maunganui. Visit www.itoc.org.nz for booking details, a preliminary programme and general information on the conference.

New Zealand Inbound Tourism Symposium

Registrations open today for ITOC’s annual New Zealand Inbound Tourism Symposium, to be held at the Rendezvous Hotel, Auckland, at 3pm on 8 December 2010. It will be followed by a social networking event at the Voyager National Maritime Museum.

“This event has been held each December in Auckland for many years and under several guises. This year we have given it a new name, the New Zealand Inbound Tourism Symposium, to give it a clearer definition and business focus,” Mr Yeo says.

The Symposium will include a number of guest speakers and panel discussions on the state of the tourism industry.

Full details and registration information are available at www.itoc.org.nz Non-ITOC members are also welcome to attend.

Have you noticed that’s it’s less than a year to our Rugby World Cup in New Zealand? What have you done to get involved or make the most if it for your tourism business? If you’re not sure how, see this article or contact your local RTO.

View this video to help you get in the spirit…

With the new General Manager for Qualmark announced (see more about this on the Motella blog article), it’s timely to revisit what tourism operators around New Zealand think about Qualmark.

Let us know your thoughts by voting on the poll and leave a comment on the article for more detailed discussion. Your feedback will no doubt be appreciated by the new General Manager…

During the research phase it became very clear to Marc that most small businesses found Facebook a mix of confusing features and poor customer support. The classic mistake made by most small business was creating a business presence using a personal profile instead of the official Facebook Page.

This classic mistake not only risks you being banned from Facebook but also lacks the features you can use to promote your business. Another major mistake is trying to “sell” within Facebook. Direct selling in any social network is a no-no but for Facebook its doubly worse as most people understand Facebook to be a place for connecting with friends and family and having fun.

There is of course a move now from Facebook to welcome business with open arms (mainly due to the income they receive from Facebook ads which businesses use to promote themselves) but still the “community” feel is very much alive. The main reason he wrote the Facebook for Business eBook was to address the two classic mistakes but also help businesses reduce the effort and time within Facebook while at the same time increase their brand awareness and connect with their customers and prospects.

The eBook consists of 12 Chapters:

Chapter 1 – What is Social Media?

This chapter introduces the concepts of “social media” and expel the hype produced by “social media experts” to revel the real benefit’s to businesses.

Chapter 2 – Defining a Facebook Strategy

This chapter focuses on the most important task which is to define your overall strategy for using Facebook and other social networks. Just like building a house you must start with solid foundations.

Chapter 3 – Facebook – The Facts

This chapter provides some important facts and statistics about Facebook

Chapter 4 – Facebook Basics

In this chapter Marc covers the basics of Facebook including creating your personal Facebook profile. This chapter is a must for anyone who has no idea what Facebook is or has never been on Facebook.

Chapter 5 – Setting Up Your Facebook Page

This chapter covers the basics of creating your Facebook Page including an introduction to the “admin” section of your page and applying business branding to your Page.

Chapter 6 – Making Your Page Exciting

This chapter looks at sprucing up your “shop front” window so it looks attractive to your prospects and customers.

Chapter 7 – Advanced Topics for Editing Your Facebook Page

This chapter covers more advanced topics to add more features to your Page including adding an email newsletter subscription form to your Page.

Chapter 8 – Attracting Fans to Your Page for Free

This chapter looks the “no-cost” courses of action you can take to attract people to your Page.

Chapter 9 – Paid Options for Attracting Fans

This chapter looks at Facebook Ads and a third party application to help drive visitors to your Page.

Chapter 10 – Monitoring Your Page

In this chapter it looks at Facebook Insights to measure your Page statistics.

Chapter 11 – Case Studies

In this chapter Marc reviews existing Facebook Pages to see what works and what needs improvement.

Chapter 12 – Resources

This chapter provides some helpful resources including a couple of fantastic sites that you can subscribe to so you are always up-to-date with changes in Facebook.

The eBook took Marc 2 months to research and write, and is an easy to read resource in PDF format purely designed for helping small business. The feedback has been great so far, here’s a sample:

“Hi Marc, Just finished reading your e-book, Facebook For Business, and found it an excellent resource for a relative Facebook novice such as myself. As a business advisor to the owners of independent businesses in Auckland, I can see this book being of great use to me, both in helping my clients make better use of social media in their marketing activity and also for my own business development. It is hard to find the right level of help in better understanding social networking devices for business. Your e-book covered it off better than anything else I have seen recently. Well done.” Andy Burrows Icon Business Solutions Albany

“I thought I had taught myself a reasonable amount about Facebook Pages for businesses. However, not only did Marc’s e-Book on Facebook for Business clarify some points I was not sure about, but also helped me to extend that knowledge. I found the format not only helpful, but also clearly laid out and easy to understand. This is an excellent reference manual, and I would highly recommend it to any business looking at developing a Facebook page to extend the visibility of their business.” Dean Stewart, Christchurch

“A comprehensive guide for business owners who want an easy to follow, step by step guide to using Facebook for their business. Tells you everything you need to know to get started” Sandra Newton, Essentee Web Consulting

Click Here to Buy the Facebook for Business Ultimate Guide eBook

The price of the eBook is $47.00 USD which is considered cheap by many people who have read it. For example some web designers will charge you $100 – $200 USD just to setup a basic Facebook Page!

So if you want to DIY with Facebook for your business to gain the most out of what it can offer and bring clarity to your strategy then this is a great buy.

Tick any that apply and feel free to leave a comment below the article for more detailed thoughts.

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with the merge?  Vote below or leave a detailed comment.

With the future looking bright for their outbound travel market to continually grow it makes sense for New Zealand tourism organisations to develop strategies to target the China travel market to compliment efforts already in progress by the likes of Tourism New Zealand, Air New Zealand and the Shanghai World Expo.

So what are the key ways to do this?  It really depends on the resources and size of your organisation.  At present over 71% of travellers from China come as part of a pre-arranged group tour (source: Tourism New Zealand) rather than as FIT so forming relationships with key inbound tour operators and group tours is a logical first step.  The FIT market however is growing so an online strategy is also important, and The Economist has identified social media as another key way.

Here are some further links to articles of interest regarding the Chinese tourism market and China Online Travel

China Travel Trends

Ruder Finn Asia China Travel and Tourism Market Newsletter

Role of Social Networking in Chinese Online Travel Market

Tourism New Zealand – Changes Set to Benefit Chinese Group Tour Market

Tourism New Zealand – ADS Programme (China Monitoring Unit)

Tourism New Zealand – Crossing the Digital Divide in China

TNOOZ: Most Popular Travel Websites In Hong Kong June 2010

Nielsen China Outbound Travel Monitor 2009 (have to purchase the full report)

If you have any tips or success stories about dealing with the Chinese market let us know.

So should we in fact combine resources with Australian tourism from time to time for particular campaigns and in some markets?  Interested to see how you vote, feel free to comment too.

The Aussies at least think it might be a good idea to “invade” our country and our 100% Pure brand as you can see in the video below…

Some local councils own and manage i-SITEs, operate visitor websites, have tourism development employees and promote and manage events or festivals that attract visitors.

The rationale being that prosperous tourism and hospitality businesses pay rates and therefore provide ongoing revenue for councils with the potential for further development.  Win-win right?

However with ever increasing costs and debt levels borne by councils, there is currently debate over whether Local Government should stick to their “core services”, meaning infrastructure of services like water, sewerage, roading etc.

TIANZ beleives that ‘tourism is core activity for local govt“, so we’re interested to hear what you think – from both rate payers and those with vested interest in the tourism industry.

What activities related to tourism do you think local government should be involved with?

Should each council have the ability to determine their policy according to their regions needs rather than being guided by legislation? Let us know what you think.

Take Our Poll on this subject below, or you you have more detailed thoughts, add a comment at the bottom of the post.

If you think your tourism business has successfully implemented innovative and creative ideas then consider entering the awards application process for 2010 – the profile and benefits of official industry recognition the awards offers for finalists and winners is no doubt a coveted prize.  We’ll look forward to hearing more about the nominees and finalists later int he year!

Interview with Prime Minister and Minster of Tourism, John Key

Q&A with Tourism New Zealand’s Chief Executive, Kevin Bowler

Interview with Tim Cossar, TIA’s Chief Executive

We’ll keep an eye on the TRENZ blog articles and share anything relevant to the industry with you through our blog and on twitter.  You can also follow the TRENZ Blog on Twitter.

If there is anyone else out there attending TRENZ next week and keen to write an article or 2 about it for us, let us know!

Certainly having the PM as the Minister of Tourism is now kicking in with some great benefits for our industry, and with 1 in 10 New Zealanders employed in the tourism industry, it’s well deserved recognition.

So the challenge now will be turning this extra funding into additional returns that will filter throughout the industry in the form of increased visitors and increased visitor spending – and not just for the Rugby World Cup period but beyond that.  Making inroads into some of our newer markets being focused on (like China) will be important way to develop sustainable visitor numbers.

We’re looking forward to seeing the new and exciting marketing initiatives that will no doubt come out of this boosted funding budget for Tourism New Zealand.

Comparing it to today, we’ve evolved from a scenic and exotic south pacific location to a destination in our own right with a clear difference from our neighbouring countries.  We now offer things to do – not just scenery and sheep!

All images have been sourced from Vintage Ad Browser. Let us know what you think and if you’ve got any vintage ads from your archives to share!

29 hours and a FREE sleeper service, times have changed!

Air NZ is still known for it's "Edgy" advertising

We still have BIG fish!

I hope they found themselves, or some "comforts of the flesh" - really!

hmmmm, not sure Sheep feature in our ads anymore...