Today's Tourism News

TIA members in the news
Financial outlook more positive for venues operator – Dominion Post, 22 May 2013
Positively Wellington Venues has reversed its fortunes and is eyeing a break- even position.

Road to be closed to remove rockfall risk - Otago Daily Times - 22nd May 2013
A section of the Milford Rd will be closed from tomorrow for up to two weeks to allow the New Zealand Transport Agency to carry out emergency safety work to remove 2000 tonnes of rock at...

Tourism drive attempts to hook big-spending overseas golfers - New Zealand Herald - 22nd May 2013
Tourism New Zealand is hoping to double the number of international tourists who come here to play golf as part of a new strategy to attract higher spending visitors.

Queenstown world-class destination - Otago Daily Times - 22nd May 2013
Queenstown is the world's 25th best destination, according to TripAdvisor.

Tourism Bay of Plenty unveils plans for summer (+poll) - Bay of Plenty Times - 21st May 2013
Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager Rhys Arrowsmith unveiled plans for promoting the Bay of Plenty at a tourism operator event on Monday night.

Sirocco to return to Wellington - Dominion Post - 22nd May 2013
The kakapo made famous by Stephen Fry, is back in town this winter. The rare green parrot, one of only 124 left, will be on show at Karori's Zealandia sanctuary for six weeks from July.

Airlines & airports
Kick squatters out of new airport - Christchurch Press - 22nd May 2013
OPINION: Damned if they do, damned if they don't. Christchurch Airport has come under heavy fire for booting out the overnight squatters, who have freeloaded for far too long.

Airport ban on dossers riles hostel - Christchurch Press - 22nd May 2013
A Christchurch hostel manager has accused the city's airport of banishing travellers overnight to further its own accommodation ambitions.

Alliance opens doors - Otago Daily Times - 21st May 2013
Queenstown is ''a hidden gem'' about to be discovered by even more Europeans, as well as Middle Easterners and Africans, courtesy of a new alliance between Emirates airline and Qantas.

Boult quits airport - Christchurch Press - 21st May 2013
Christchurch Airport chief executive Jim Boult is quitting his job. In a letter to stakeholders today, Boult announced he would not renew his contract at the end of this year, meaning he...

Around NZ
Wildfoods Festival ticket sales slump after 24 years - New Zealand Herald - 21st May 2013
For the first time in its 24-year history, the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival has run at a loss as ticket sales slumped to 8800.

Lesbian bed ban sparks threats and abuse - Dominion Post - 21st May 2013
Woman who chose not to stay at a guesthouse after being told she and her lesbian partner would have to sleep in single beds is disgusted at threats made to the lodge owners.

Motel has prime beachfront spot - Dominion Post - 21st May 2013
Napier's Shoreline Motel is being sold by Wallace Development. The 38-room motel, which is leased long-term to its operator, is returning an annual net rental income of $520,000.

NZ missing boat on cruises: expert - New Zealand Herald - 22nd May 2013
A cruise industry consultant says New Zealand risks missing out on most of the boom in the sector by not giving passengers what they want.

Arrivals
Visitors flocking to NZ in record numbers - New Zealand Herald - 21st May 2013
Visitors flocked to New Zealand in record numbers last month, with Chinese tourists showing the biggest increase.

Govt
Departure tax plan could be revived – Dominion Post, 21 May 2013
Plans for an airport departure tax of up to $35 were dumped just months before the Budget but could be revived in future years.

TIA member media releases
Christchurch Airport CEO To Leave The Role – Christchurch Airport, 21 May 2013
Christchurch Airport chief executive Jim Boult has today announced he will leave the role at the end of the year.

World’s top travel editors set to experience Auckland in 2014 – Tourism New Zealand, 21 May 2013
Auckland has won the rights to host the Travel Classics writers’ association bi-annual conference in May 2014, thanks to a bid by Tourism New Zealand, ATEED (Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development) and Air New Zealand.

Long, hot summer of holiday arrivals fantastic for industry, says Tourism New Zealand – Tourism New Zealand, 21 May 2013
Tourism New Zealand chief executive Kevin Bowler says the international visitor arrival figures for April show steady growth from the sector’s core markets and some fantastic holiday arrival numbers.