Wednesday 13 April 2016 Issue 3286

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Swift Air New Zealand RestructureThere’s been a swift changing of the guard at Air New Zealand—with the surprise appointment of NZ’s gm Australia international sales Leanne Geraghty (pictured on left) to NZ’s newly-created regional general manager distribution and corporate role.At the same time the carrier has con-firmed that its group gm New Zealand and Pacific Louise Struthers (on right)is leaving the business.NZ last month flagged coming chang-es to its sales and commercial team, including two new regional general managers. However Struthers’ exit and the fact the carrier has swiftly taken Geraghty out of the competitive Australian market has shocked some in the trade.

. . . Trade MoveGeraghty is a familiar face for many in the Kiwi trade and industry sources contacted have welcomed the appoint-ment. Armed with more than 25 years travel industry experience in Austra-lia, Geraghty is no stranger to a highly competitive operating environment, is described as ‘trade friendly’ and known for her emphasis on building relationships.“It’s a shame to see [Struthers] mov-ing on, but it’s a great strategic move to get someone of [Geraghty’s] calibre in the role,” says helloworld New Zealand boss Simon McKearney. “I’ve worked closely with her over the years and I

think it’s a great investment by NZ in the market.”House of Travel chief executive Mark O’Donnell says the group is pleased to have someone with extensive industry knowledge in the key NZ trade job. “Given the mix of existing industry re-lationships and knowledge [Geraghty] has, I think it’s going to be a pretty seamless transition—it’s a positive step as she knows, and understands, the market,” says O’Donnell.Flight Centre New Zealand boss David Coombes says he has had a long and established working relationship with Geraghty, and the fellow Aussie has welcomed her move across the ditch.

. . . ChangesTravel Today understands Struthers’ position was dis-established earlier this month and that NZ is yet to ap-point a regional gm direct and market development. NZ says in an update that given the changes in leadership roles in this region, it is working with Antony Price (currently NZ’s gm gov-ernment, corporate & distribution sales) ‘on a number of opportunities’.

To Stay Or Not To Stay?Airbnb is helping commemorate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death by renting out a room in Ham-let’s castle. Two guests will be picked to spend the night at Kronborg Castle in Denmark, the setting for the fa-mous play, on 23 Apr. First they’ll have to earn their place though, with prospective guests having to plead their case to Airbnb—with bonus points for using iambic pentameter.

The bare factsCitizens of a small French town claim it’s been overrun by voyeurs, libertines and swingers after it became popular with nudists. It’s EUR8 to spend a day at the seaside retreat and up to 40,000 naked bottoms can be seen during any one summer at the Cap d’Agde’s naturist resort, nicknamed Naked City. It’s reportedly a functioning town with what’s believed to be the world’s only own nude bank, post office, hairdress-ers and supermarket.

Tourist’s Drone FineFirst there were selfie bans at iconic sights—and now it’s tourist pictures captured by drones that are being outlawed. A tourist has reportedly been fined over $170,000 for flying his drone camera over the Colosseum in Rome in a bid to get the perfect shot.But the French man is not alone. An American tourist caused a security scare when he flew a drone over the Queen’s Windsor Castle; last Dec two tourists were arrested for flying a drone fitted with a camera to take aerial shots over Vatican City; and three more tourists who flew a cam-era drone over the Royal Palace in Cambodia were also arrested.

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VA cosies up with AZVirgin Australia has gone into a codeshare agreement with Alitalia opening up—subject to regula-tory approval—the Italian carrier’s daily Abu Dhabi to Rome and Milan Malpensa services, for sales from 15 Apr. AZ’s AUH-FCO leg utilises A330 aircraft and AUH-MXP A B777.Details in regards to Velocity and MilleMiglia frequent flyer member benefits are yet to be released.

Best Drinks WinnerC on g r at u l at i ons to C h r i s t i n e Sarney of helloworld Upper Hutt, who has won a copy of Lonely Plan-et’s World’s Best Drinks. To buy your own copy of the book (with a 20% discount), which features recipes for top drinks around the world, see traveltoday.co.nz/lonely-planet/

SE Asia ExtensionQantas has extended its South East Asia tactical return levels for sales now to 22 Jun. Bangkok fares are from $1139 and Singapore from $1145, for depar-tures 13 Apr–07 Dec & 16 Jan–28 Feb. Seasonal peak surcharges and conditions apply. Seeqantas.co.nz/agents

Only in the US of AThe Last Chance Gas Station from the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre film is being converted into a horror barbecue resort. Ari Lehman who played Jason Voor-hees in the first Friday the 13th film, has teamed up with an Ohio busi-nessman, Roy Rose to transform the infamous building into a pilgrim-age for horror fans. Cabins will be built for overnighters, an outdoor stage erected for concerts and a shop specialising in horror memorabilia opened. Although you might be ex-pected to feel dubious about what barbecued piece of meat is on your plate, Rose says it will be a safe and fun place for families. He hopes the restaurant and hotel will be open by Jul. In the meantime a sign saying We Slaughter Barbecue marks the site.

QF CHC-BNEQantas has one-way Christchurch to Brisbane fares from $199 for sales now til 27 Apr. See qantas.co.nz/agents for details.

AR Improved ScheduleA e r o l i n e a s A r g e n t i n a s h a s announced improved schedules for services between Buenos Aires and Rio De Janeiro/Sao Paolo, effective immediately, says Air New Zealand. For details see airnzagent.co.nz

Germany: Some RiskThe New Zealand Ministr y of Foreign Affairs and Trade has re-viewed its travel advice for Germany. There are no changes to its travel advisory risk level and it continues to advise caution due to the threat of terrorism (some risk), saying there is a heightened threat of terrorism across Europe, including Germany. However, German authorities main-tain increased security measures as a precaution around the coun-try, including at public buildings and transport hubs, it says. See safetravel.govt.nz/germany for fur-ther details.

The Fiji Airways Group today announced a record year of growth, with a pre-tax profit of FJD70.2m for year to 31 Dec, up 15.5% on the previous year.Group passenger numbers for the year were up 7.4% to 1.3 million and its revenue increased 6.3% for the year under review, says FJ.“Our team surpassed previous benchmarks for profits and growth, with passenger numbers, load factor and RASK all improving significantly, coupled with a well-controlled cost base,” says FJ chief executive Andre Viljoen. “These results allow us to continue our commitments to our people, our shareholders and stake-holders, who will, of course, share in our success.”FJ says all international markets per-formed strongly for the group, with the core markets of Australia and New Zealand delivering reasonable returns, coupled with strong growth from its Hong Kong and Los Angeles services. Viljoen says the carrier’s results are sustainable, ‘provided that market demand recovers from recent na-tional disasters and is not merely driven from lower than anticipated fuel prices’. “2016 presents yet another year of

Record Fiji Airways Profit Growth

opportunities and challenges. Three exciting new destinations are be-ing added to our network, with our inaugural flight to Singapore com-mencing last week and San Francisco and Vava’u (Tonga) all coming online by Jun,” says the FJ boss. “This gives our already impressive network even more of a boost.” By the end of 2016, FJ will have 50 destinations in 13 countries around the world.

. . . Disrupts“There will undoubtedly be challeng-es, as Tropical Cyclone Winston has an impact on our forward bookings,” says Viljoen. “But a number of initia-tives are underway with the Tourism Action Group (TAG) to address these challenges.”The carrier’s strong financial position means it can reward staff and assist the country whenever possible, he added. “We stand in solidarity with our fellow Fijians who have suffered due to Tropical Cyclone Winston. We have assisted with the Government’s relief and rehabilitation efforts and will continue to do more in the com-ing months.”

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Tourism Fiji Agent Roadshow WinnersTourism Fiji has today announced the winners from its six roadshow events last week. Jo Devereux from The Travel Brokers in Wellington won a three-night trip for two flying Fiji Airways and staying in a beachfront spa suite at the Nanuku Auberge Resort (pictured) at Pacific Harbour includ-ing meals, cultural and non-motorised activities. Flight Centre Rotorua’s Willy Taite was the other winner, and has won a seven-night package, flying Fiji Airways, including five nights in a superior ocean view room at Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa including breakfast and two nights at Musket Cove Island Resort and transfers.

May is packed with great events in Noosa, including the Cooroy Fusion Festival (07 May), Ultra-man Australia (14-16 May) and the Noosa Food & Wine 2016 (20-22 May), which agents can package up for clients, says the region.A family event is the Noosa Ultimate Sports Festival (28-29 May) where participants Swim Noosa, Cycle Noosa and Run Noosa for what is described as the ultimate week-end of sport and lifestyle and the ultimate fitness escape. Prospec-tive participants need to register at noosaultimatesportsfestival.comMusic is also part of Noosa line-up in May with Daryll Braithwaite at the Villa Noosa on 13 May. Clients of a certain age will remember Braith-waite from Sherbert, a successful Aus-sie band that penned the hit Howzat, which became an Aussie pop icon. At the same time, The Big Pineapple Music Festival (which is being staged 28 May) features some of the best in Australian music, including Rufus, Hermitude, You Am I, The Veronicas, The Smith Street Band and plenty more. The festival will be held about 35 minutes from Noosa and bus-es will leave from Noosa Tran-

The Line-up For A-May-zing Noosa

sit Centre from AUD12pp return And for a laugh check out the Mel-bourne International Comedy Festival in Noosa on 11 May. For more Noosa events see visitnoosa.com.au

Sofitel Fiji DealThe Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa offers the Luxury Spa Room Package for an extra FJD72 p/r p/n in the Superior Oceanside King room or Twin room for stays to 31 Mar. Cost includes a one-hour full body massage per adult and a glass of champagne each at So Spa. T&Cs apply. Wholesalers have details or see Sofitel.com

India TreasuresA 15-day experience across India is offered by Adventure World from $5135 pp. The Treasures of Gujarat itinerary takes in Sasan Gir Wildlife Sancturary, Bud-dhist caves in Porbandar and the beaches of Dwarka. Cost includes 14 nights’ accommodation, activi-ties and entrances fees as listed on the itinerary, some meals, private car and driver, first class trains, internal flights and Eng-lish-speaking guides.

First IHG for PhuketInterContinental has signed a man-agement agreement with Proud Resort Phuket to develop InterConti-nental Phuket Resort, as part of a lux-ury community project, MontAzure, on Phuket’s west coast. Scheduled to open in 2019, the property is on Kamala Beach, between Millionaire’s Mile and the Amanpuri headland. It includes 75 beachfront branded con-dominiums, 13 private hillside estate villas, beach clubs for public and pri-vate use, a lifestyle retail component, a medical and wellness centre and protected nature reserve.

Outrigger Joins GHAOutrigger Resorts has joined the Global Hotel Alliance, which is ex-panding its footprint in new markets including Outrigger’s home base of Hawaii, as well as Fiji, Guam and Mauritius, the Maldives and Thailand. The integration of Outrigger into GHA will be completed later in the year, at which time DISCOVERY mem-bers will be recognised and rewarded across the Outrigger Resorts portfolio.

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New Lodge Part Of Apia RedevelopmentA new guest lodge has opened in Samoa’s capital as part of the government’s Apia waterfront development, says the Samoa Tourism Authority. The Ulalei Lodge is located in a renovated government house, with rates starting from WST70pn (around $40) for a standard room with breakfast. The colonial-style building has six rooms and employs hospitality gradu-ates. See ulaleilodgesamoa.comIt’s part of the overall redevelopment of Apia’s waterfront, which is being funded by New Zealand and includes the new five-star Lemana hotel being constructed at Taumeasina.

Dew Wins MEL TripNicholas D ew f rom Hawai ian Airlines is the winner of helloworld’s re-brand supplier competition. The retail group challenged its suppliers to promote the helloworld brand on social media to go into a draw to win a Melbourne Cup race day package. Helloworld New Zealand boss Simon McKearney (pictured on right with Dew) thanked its suppliers for their support and added that it was ‘an extremely close game’.

Samoa Tackles MozziesSamoa’s tourism industr y has committed to working with health officials to try and eliminate mos-quito-borne diseases like Dengue, Chickugunya and Zika. The Ministry of Health has held a training work-shop to educate the tourism industry about the diseases and demonstrate how to spray specific chemicals to kill mosquitos. The government has committed funding for the wide-spread national approach, with tour-ism accommodation one of the key areas given priority to be sprayed consistently throughout the year, says the Samoa Tourism Authority.There have been no confirmed Zika virus cases in Samoa since Oct 2015.

High Tea At SeaCaptain Cook Cruises has added extra departure days to its High Tea at Sea cruise in Sydney due to the ‘overwhelming popularity’. The cruise will now operate every Tue, Thu and Sat at 1430 from Jetty 6, Circular Quay, in addition to its Wed and Sat departures. It’s priced from AUD59pp, including a glass of bubbles, 15 different teas to choose from, and a menu of sweet and savoury goodies.

The recently opened Ibis Styles in Brisbane is a ‘real standout’ says regional director of sales & market-ing Queensland Tricia Cornelius, and offers the perfect opportunity for agents to encourage clients to visit the city.“The hotel is a real standout in the brand from every aspect, the rooms are amazing, it’s on trend, the design really works, its location is great, it’s bright, it’s cheerful,” she says. However, many people still see Brisbane as a transit destination, ‘which is really sad’, she says. “Brisbane is a destina-tion that’s going through a transition, there’s so many events and things you can do here. . . There’s the art galleries, the shopping, the museums, there’s some cool stuff going on.” Cornelius added that there is a need to ensure Kiwi travellers know there is more

Ibis BNE A Drawcardto do, and other destinations to see in Queensland, other than the Gold Coast. She added that the price point of Brisbane’s Ibis Styles, from AUD135 per night, including breakfast and Wi-Fi, allows clients to spend more money exploring all there is to see and do in Brisbane.

Jutland CommemoratedJutland 1916: WWI’s Greatest Sea Battle opens at London’s National Maritime Museum 20 May. The dis-play includes the event, stories of the aftermath, personal accounts from sailors and their families, broader views of the nations and navies on ei-ther side of the conflict and the media reports driving them. Entry is free.

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For more see Monday’s TRAVEL TODAY

APRILAvalon Waterways 2017 LaunchAuckland, East: Wed 13, Fisher House, 1745. Timaru: Wed 13, Mocca Cafe, 1730. Napier: Wed 13, Crown Hotel, 1745. Auckland, West: Thu 14, The Falls, Henderson, 1745. Palmerston North: Thu 14, Distinction, 1745. Ashburton: Thu 14, Lushingtons, 1730. Auckland, North: Tue 19, Takapuna Boating Club, 1745. Christchurch: Tue 19, Dux Central, 1745. Invercargill: Wed 20, Kelvin Hotel, 1730. Queenstown: Thu 21, Copthorne Hotel, 1745. Nelson: Wed 27, Monaco Resort, 1730. Blenheim: Thu 28, Watery Mouth Cafe, 1730.

Gold Coast Tourism Agents FunctionHamilton: Wed 13, Gothenburg, 1730.

China ShowcaseDunedin: Wed 13, The Scenic Lounge, Forsythe Barr Stadium, 1730. Christchurch: Thu 14, The Ilex, Christchurch Botanical Gardens, 1730.

Asia Road Show: Cathay Pacific/Adventure World/ Exodus Breakfast updateWellington: Thu 21, James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor, 0730 – 0830.

Wendy Wu Tours Update & ‘Jungle Book’ film eveningChristchurch: Wed 27, Hoyts Riccarton, 1745. Wellington: Thu 28, The Embassy Theatre, 1800. Auckland: Thu 28, Rialto Newmarket, 1800.

Adventure World, Exo Travel and Accor Hotels Vietnam MasterclassAuckland: Wed 27, Mercure Auckland, 1730-1930.

Hawaiian Airlines Agent TrainingAuckland: Tue 28, Rydges Hotel, 0930-1030, 1100-1200, 1330-1430, 1500-1600.

MAYSPANTO roadshowHamilton: Tue 03, Ferrybank Reception Centre, 1730.Palmerston North & New Plymouth: TBA

‘Cursed’ Resort For SaleA derelict resort in Rarotonga, which was originally supposed to be a Sheraton but never opened for business, has been put up for sale once again.The property was 90% complete when work stopped in the early 1990s. A curse on the development site is among local theories of why the property never opened, and the hotel was also said to have mafia links.Much of the structure of the resort is still standing, and there’s poten-tial to develop the site into a five-star resort with up to 460 rooms, villas and apartments, says Bayley’s Real Estate. The current owner has completed plans for the resort, and won approval to change the island’s ring road which separates the prop-erty from the beach.

Belmond Peru On SaleViva E x p e d it ions a nd Ch i mu Adventures are offering 25% off new bookings at Belmond luxury proper-ties in Peru, for sales to 25 Apr and travel to 22 Dec. The discounts apply to Machu Picchu Sanctuary Hotel, Hotel Monasterio & Plaza Nazarenas in Cusco the Miraflores Park Hotel in Lima and the Rio Sagrado Hotel in the Sacred Valley.

GO To MEL With QFG O Ho l i d ays h a s Me l b o u r n e packages flying Qantas ex Auckland or Wellington, for sales to 14 Apr and travel 04 May-09 Dec. Three nights Melbourne is from $599pp s/d; and clients can add on two nights in Mornington Peninsula and three days Hertz Standard auto rental car from $359pp s/d; or two nights in Yarra Valley and three days car rental from $609pp s/t.

Luxury Lodge DealsKauri Cliffs and the Farm at Cape Kidnappers are offering the Lodge Life package for$1450 + gst p/r, p/n double. Tariff includes a $400 lodge credit p/n p/r that can be used for golf, a spa, Kiwi Discovery walk, Can-Am tours “and more”; breakfast, lunch, pre-dinner drinks and cana-pés, dinner, non-alcoholic mini bar, early check-in and late check-out. For sales and travel 01 May-30 Sep.

Hi lton w i l l open its second property in New Caledonia in 2019, with the signing of the Hil-ton Lifou Wadra Bay Resort. The resort, to be managed by GLP Hotels New Caledonia, will be located on Lifou Island, one of the three Loy-alty Islands located off the east coast of the mainland. It will be the first hotel of this standard on the ‘largely undiscovered’ island, says Hilton.

The resort will include 50 villas all located on or close to the beachfront, and an inland lagoon with local fish, rays and turtles thanks to an agree-ment with the Noumea Aquarium. There will also be two restaurants, a health club, spa, outdoor pool and event spaces.

Choice Canada CompChoice Hotels is giving new Choice Privileges members a chance to win a trip to the Canadian Rockies when they stay at hotels across New Zea-land. Every person who joins the loy-alty programme at any Choice hotel in New Zealand before 30 Nov will automatically go in the draw to win the trip, valued at more than $18,000. See choiceprivileges.co.nz

Second Hilton For New Caledonia