28th August 2023 Backpackers / BYATANew Zealand’s backpacker industry is making a steady recovery from the pandemic with some operators managing to hit pre-Covid levels but significant challenges remain.
25th May 2022 Backpackers / Ski FieldsCardrona and Treble Cone have teamed up with Wānaka Backpackers Bothy to provide mountain staff accommodation for the 2022 winter ski season.
15th March 2022 Backpackers / VisasDespite the WHV scheme being back on the table, it will still be a rough year ahead for the hostel and youth sector, warns NZHA chair Brett Duncan.
20th July 2021 Backpackers / IncidentWest Coast hostel Bazil’s Backpackers and Surf School suffers major damage after a fire broke out overnight.
24th February 2021 Backpackers / LiquidationsBlenheim-based Diamond Hostel Limited has gone into liquidation.
5th February 2021 Backpackers / HostelsHostels are shutting their doors or being put up for sale as the market struggles without international visitors.
9th November 2020 Backpackers / BYATAOne of the hardest-hit parts of tourism is holding on for a quick rebound when international travel resumes.
4th November 2020 Backpackers / BYATAUnder the memorandum, both organisations committed to jointly grow the value of international youth arrivals to New Zealand.
5th June 2020 Backpackers / FundingNapier backpackers Archie’s Bunker has secured funding from the Napier City Council to turn part of its building into an ‘escape room’ in a bid to attract visitors.
21st May 2020 BackpackersYHA New Zealand is committing to retain its national network of hostels despite suffering significant financial pain following border closures and Covid-19 lockdown, says chief executive Mark Wells.
16th April 2020 Backpackers / TNZNew Zealand needs to build up a good mix of visitors in the recovery so the sector is less dependent on any single segment, says Tourism New Zealand chief executive Stephen England-Hall.
12th November 2019 BackpackersRyan Sanders’ Haka Tourism Group has added an eighth property to its accommodation portfolio with the opening of Haka Lodge Ponsonby.
17th October 2019 Backpackers / HostelsSummer accommodation will be made available at the former YHA Opoutere, which has been handed over to the Wharekawa Adventure Education Trust by YHA New Zealand.
19th August 2019 Backpackers / CampaignThe country is seeing a similar slowdown as NZ but is taking a different approach, particularly with the youth market.
11th June 2019 BackpackersThe operator is aiming to have a nationwide network of 10 hotels and 10 lodges by 2025.
15th May 2019 Backpackers / HostelsLake Tekapo’s new $9m YHA has reported 85% occupancy in its first two weeks of trade.
29th April 2019 BackpackersThe evolution of the backpacker market and where it might go next is the backbone for discussion at this year’s annual Backpacker Youth & Adventure Tourism Association conference.
28th February 2019 Backpackers / CorporateHaka Tourism Group has succeeded in its multi-million dollar bid to take ownership of its Auckland lodge.
27th November 2018 Backpackers / DataCristine Angus’s software development company, getsmart, has signed a global partnership agreement to provide tailored customer insight solutions for the International Youth Hostels Federation.
16th August 2018 Backpackers / BYATATNZ has refocused its backpacker strategy on the direct UK and German markets.
15th August 2018 Backpackers / BYATAThe backpacker and wider tourism industry is in “a huge state of flux” and it was vital operators tackled complex issues together, an industry audience heard this morning.
2nd October 2017 BackpackersToday’s backpackers are a discerning bunch on the lookout for authentic, inspirational experiences.
Campaigners are desperately trying to rally support to prevent the closure of the iconic Opoutere Youth Hostel near Whangamata.
Robin Gayraud and Laura Symonds, publishers of the BackpackerGuide.NZ, travelled New Zealand in a campervan to take on 365 activities in 365 days.
Future proofing New Zealand as a tourism destination was the focus of the eighth annual Backpacker Youth & Adventure Tourism Association (BYATA) Conference held in Wellington at Te Papa recently.
With over 150 hostels throughout the country and backpackers currently making up 11% of all holiday visitors into NZ and growing – the hostel market is going from strength to strength.
