Tourism Ticker
The Business of Tourism
 
Tourism Ticker
The Business of Tourism

Tourism Ticker

Tourism Ticker
  News   Recovery   Opinion
Tuesday 05 March 2024
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Activities

Record results for THL’s tourism experiences
20 Feb 2024   /

Record results for THL’s tourism experiences

The Women’s FIFA World Cup and a faster-than-expected recovery in the Chinese market has driven revenue at the operator’s tourism division.


Bike Challenge returns to Queenstown Lakes
30 Jan 2024  

Bike Challenge returns to Queenstown Lakes

The Aotearoa Bike Challenge is returning to Queenstown Lakes this February.


Opportunity to align hunting and conservation – McClay
29 Jan 2024   /

Opportunity to align hunting and conservation – McClay

Hunting and Fishing Minister Todd McClay says more can be done to align conservation and hunting to preserve habitats.


…with welcome relief for activity operators hurt by last peak season’s storms
23 Jan 2024   /

…with welcome relief for activity operators hurt by last peak season’s storms

This summer has been a welcome relief for regions like Northland and Hawke’s Bay, which were hit hard by extreme weather last season.


Sullivan resigns from Christchurch Attractions

Sullivan resigns from Christchurch Attractions

The CEO is leaving one of the region’s leading tourism operators after a “fun but challenging” tenure.


Ngāi Tahu abandons bid for KJet
15 Jan 2024   /

Ngāi Tahu abandons bid for KJet

Ngāi Tahu Tourism has banned its bid to acquire the Queenstown tourism jet boating business KJet.


Project Tongariro, DOC open bookings for nature experiences
16 Nov 2023   /

Project Tongariro, DOC open bookings for nature experiences

The Department of Conservation and Project Tongariro have opened bookings for its Mahi Aroha 2024 range of nature-based experiences and events.


Ziptrek Ecotours holding annual Locals’ Day
10 Nov 2023  

Ziptrek Ecotours holding annual Locals’ Day

Queenstown-based Ziptrek Ecotours is running its Locals’ Day on 12 November.


NZ Tourism Awards: Dave Kilmister on the rise of Huka Falls River Cruise

NZ Tourism Awards: Dave Kilmister on the rise of Huka Falls River Cruise

The operator has been nominated for the Tourism Industry Champion Award.


QLDC seeks feedback on waterway bylaw
12 Oct 2023  

QLDC seeks feedback on waterway bylaw

Queenstown Lakes District Council is engaging with the public to help develop a new waterway navigation bylaw.


Angling season expected to attract 13k internationals – Fish & Game
2 Oct 2023  

Angling season expected to attract 13k internationals – Fish & Game

Around 13,000 international anglers are expected during the fishing season, according to Fish & Game New Zealand.


Council declines to invest $1.9m in adventure park
22 Sep 2023   /

Council declines to invest $1.9m in adventure park

Porirua District Council has declined a request to invest $1.9m in an adventure park project, citing the project’s high risk and lack of affordability for ratepayers.


Punting on the Avon restarts tours from iconic Chch bridge

Punting on the Avon restarts tours from iconic Chch bridge

Christchurch Attractions is restarting its Punting on the Avon tours from the Worcester Bridge site from today.


Mt Taranaki climber suffers minor injuries after 600m fall
12 Sep 2023  

Mt Taranaki climber suffers minor injuries after 600m fall

A climber on Mt Taranaki has been rescued after falling down the mountain over the weekend and coming to rest 600m below.


Adventure South adds foodie cycle tour experience
11 Sep 2023  

Adventure South adds foodie cycle tour experience

Adventure South has launched a new food tour across the Alps to Ocean bike trail for the coming season.


Active Adventures recognised for contribution to tourism with USA
4 Sep 2023  

Active Adventures recognised for contribution to tourism with USA

Active Adventures and Austin Adventures have beaten JW Marriott and Hotel Britomart to win the Contribution to Tourism with the USA award at the American Chamber of Commerce’s DHL Express Success & Innovation Awards.


Operators bring 007 experience to Queenstown
1 Sep 2023   /

Operators bring 007 experience to Queenstown

Queenstown-based BLACK Tourism is now offering a James Bond Aston Martin experience to cater to the luxury market.


BYATA Conference: Adventure tourism must prep for new era managing risk – TIA’s Ingram
29 Aug 2023   /

BYATA Conference: Adventure tourism must prep for new era managing risk – TIA’s Ingram

Operators will have to up their game to meet the changes in risk communication required under the government’s new rules for adventure activities, says Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Rebecca Ingram.


RealNZ seeks ComCom clearance for acquisition
23 Aug 2023   /

RealNZ seeks ComCom clearance for acquisition

RealNZ has sought Commerce Commission approval for its purchase of Southern Discoveries’ Spirit of Queenstown vessel based at Lake Wakatipu.


WorkSafe urges safety after tourist death, $400k in penalties
22 Aug 2023   /

WorkSafe urges safety after tourist death, $400k in penalties

A Northland operator is sentenced after South Korean visitor Jin Chang Oh died while sandboarding in 2019.


An Operator’s View: Taupō Sailing Adventures’ Dave Nesbitt

An Operator’s View: Taupō Sailing Adventures’ Dave Nesbitt

Co-owner and skipper Dave Nesbitt on the operator’s recovery from the pandemic and how the addition of a significant new asset will help.


New rules for adventure operators in wake of Whakaari disaster
17 Aug 2023   /

New rules for adventure operators in wake of Whakaari disaster

Better risk communication, improved hazard monitoring, and more powers for WorkSafe are among the changes.


Operators recognised in Grand Pacific Tours awards
17 Aug 2023   /

Operators recognised in Grand Pacific Tours awards

Distinction Christchurch has taken the top spot in two categories at Grand Pacific Tours’ Supplier and Crew Awards this year.


Ngāi Tahu Tourism launches KJet acquisition, seeks ComCom clearance
15 Aug 2023   /

Ngāi Tahu Tourism launches KJet acquisition, seeks ComCom clearance

The iwi-owned operator of Shotover Jet and Dart River Adventures says the deal would not significantly lessen competition.


Christchurch Attractions backs donation drive

Christchurch Attractions backs donation drive

Christchurch Attractions is partnering with the Central City Business Association and Salvation Army in an effort to provide more warmth for the city’s vulnerable people.


EcoZip taps Gillingham to lead South Island business, eyes Nov opening
26 Jul 2023  

EcoZip taps Gillingham to lead South Island business, eyes Nov opening

The operator is getting its leadership, partnerships, and a big rebrand in place for its new Kaikōura attraction.


World Cup timely winter boost for tourism – Button
21 Jul 2023  

World Cup timely winter boost for tourism – Button

The FIFA Women’s World Cup will help the tourism sector to kick its winter goals, according to Rotorua Canopy Tours general manager Paul Button.


MTC snaps up Wilderness Guides
20 Jul 2023   /

MTC snaps up Wilderness Guides

Marlborough Tour Company has acquired adventure tour operator Picton-based Wilderness Guides.


New owners for Maramarua Forest experience
20 Jul 2023  

New owners for Maramarua Forest experience

Driving school and rally experience Rally Drive NZ has new owners.


An Operator’s View: Rotorua Canopy Tours’ Paul Button
18 Jul 2023   /

An Operator’s View: Rotorua Canopy Tours’ Paul Button

The GM on the operator’s best year ever for revenue, managing pricing and costs, and what he wants to get off his chest.


“It was just ridiculous” – Matariki drives demand to strong school holidays finish
18 Jul 2023   /

“It was just ridiculous” – Matariki drives demand to strong school holidays finish

The Matariki long weekend gave operators a welcome boost over the final stretch of the school holidays with decent weather also helping to fill tours and attract customers.


Active Adventures launches private group tours
11 Jul 2023  

Active Adventures launches private group tours

Active Adventures has launched new private group tours across its range of experiences.


Christchurch Attractions offers evening river punts for festival

Christchurch Attractions offers evening river punts for festival

Christchurch Attractions is giving visitors the opportunity to punt along the Avon River during the city’s Tirama Mai festival.


International Antarctic Centre up for sale as RealNZ divests
6 Jul 2023   /

International Antarctic Centre up for sale as RealNZ divests

The Queenstown-based operator is selling four businesses but also investing in an asset to serve its popular Walter Peak attraction.


Skyline profit more than doubles to $71m on strong recovery
23 Jun 2023  

Skyline profit more than doubles to $71m on strong recovery

Revenue jumps by 49% to $183m, “with the reopening of international travel markets a strong contributor to that result”.


Ziptrek Ecotours to reopen on 1 July
23 Jun 2023  

Ziptrek Ecotours to reopen on 1 July

Ziptrek Ecotours will fully reopen to the public on 1 July following the completion of renovations to Skyline Queenstown’s gondolas.


NZ operators among Tripadvisor’s best
23 Jun 2023   /

NZ operators among Tripadvisor’s best

New Zealand tourism operators have topped the rankings in three categories across Tripadvisor’s best travel experiences in the world for 2023.


Taupō trout fishing licences increase
14 Jun 2023  

Taupō trout fishing licences increase

The Department of Conservation has confirmed Taupō Fishing District licence fees for the 2023-24 season.


TAIC calls for harnessing of commercial balloon pilots after ejections
18 May 2023   /

TAIC calls for harnessing of commercial balloon pilots after ejections

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission has recommended the mandating of pilot restraint harnesses during critical phases of commercial balloon flights.


CAA urges skydivers to step up incident reports following fatality
9 May 2023   /

CAA urges skydivers to step up incident reports following fatality

The Civil Aviation Authority is encouraging the skydive community to proactively report incidents and near misses to improve safety.


Tūwharetoa expands in tourism with another acquisition
2 May 2023   /

Tūwharetoa expands in tourism with another acquisition

It is the iwi’s fourth deal in tourism after it entered the industry in 2017, making it one of Taupō’s most significant operators.


Milford Sound tops Tripadvisor searches for NZ – report
1 May 2023  

Milford Sound tops Tripadvisor searches for NZ – report

Milford Sound attractions are proving to be a popular drawcard for travellers looking for their next adventure, according to new insights from Tripadvisor.


Cool reception to Milford Sound cable car proposal
26 Apr 2023   /

Cool reception to Milford Sound cable car proposal

A scheme for a cable car up Bowen Falls to provide a “world-class activity” is mooted in the area’s masterplan.


A regenerative journey: Franz Josef Wilderness Tours

A regenerative journey: Franz Josef Wilderness Tours

Carbon-zero, predator trapping, kiwi protection and a business are all in a decade’s work for Franz Josef Wilderness Tours.


ZipTrek Eco Tours preps for 10-week closure
20 Apr 2023  

ZipTrek Eco Tours preps for 10-week closure

ZipTrek Eco Tours is closing for 10 weeks while $200m in renovations to the Skyline Gondola are made.


Last day for feedback on changes to adventure rules
18 Apr 2023   /

Last day for feedback on changes to adventure rules

Today is the final day for submissions on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s draft amendments to the Health and Safety at Work (Adventure Activities) regulations.


Queenstown, West Coast tourism vulnerable to climate change – report
12 Apr 2023   /

Queenstown, West Coast tourism vulnerable to climate change – report

The warming climate and changing weather patterns pose “a great risk” to the viability of ski fields and glacier tourism.


Rydges Rotorua giving away 100 experience-led stays to Kiwis
5 Apr 2023   /

Rydges Rotorua giving away 100 experience-led stays to Kiwis

RotoruaNZ and Rydges are partnering on a campaign to attract domestic visitors to the region for rest, relaxation and to help prevent workplace burnout.


Week left for feedback on changes to adventure rules
3 Apr 2023   /

Week left for feedback on changes to adventure rules

Operators have just over a week to submit on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s draft amendments to the Health and Safety at Work (Adventure Activities) regulations.


CAA charges Skydive Auckland, director over Muriwai fatality
15 Mar 2023   /

CAA charges Skydive Auckland, director over Muriwai fatality

The charges relate to the death of a British skydiver Sarah-Jayne Bayram, who was part of a group taking part in a sunset jump last year.