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People Are Important Too
One of the things I really enjoy about my job is continuously meeting
special, wonderful people. Not just our clients, who can be
tremendously entertaining, but the special people we select to make
their time in this country memorable.
Recently we planned and trialled another special day. This time it
was the Southern Alps by helicopter - a special day for the ladies in
a group - the men... > Read More
Added: 21 Jan 08
Accommodation - More Thoughts
We have been long-term fans of private, single-party accommodation.
Some clients enjoy the social aspects of lodges but the gradual
decline in the attraction of communal dining gives a clue that perhaps
there can be too much of a good thing?
Even some of the top lodges now offer multiple dining areas to allow
holidaymakers (an important point here - a lot of people go on holiday
to relax... > Read More
Added: 20 Jan 08
Accommodation - More Than Meets the Eye
Some people think booking accommodation is easy. You just get a good
rate and book it! I suppose in the same way, cooking is easy. Everyone
can cook. And everyone can drive, too. I've been driven by plenty of
poor drivers, eaten too much bad... > Read More
Added: 18 Jan 08
Brazilians on Motorbikes!
This was our first time with Brazilians and our first time with
motorbikes. What a blast! Ably supported by Mike Lester of South
Pacific Motorcycle Tours, we showcased the South Island over a period
of ten days. Being curious as to both... > Read More
Added: 4 Dec 07
So, How are you Different?
This is a question I am often asked. What sets us apart from most
tourism providers? Last week, on tour with our Brazilian clients, I
answered it this way:
Others send their clients on day trips which can be found in
websites, can be purchased... > Read More
Added: 30 Nov 07
More Than a Touch!
We love to find people who work like us. People who are dedicated to
looking after details and making people happy. Six years ago, we were
a one-company effort pushing this largely ignored message at
unresponsive inbounders and uncomprehending... > Read More
Added: 24 Nov 07
Pushing Ahead in Russia
We have welcomed our first visitors from St Petersburg. They came
here following an agent visit we organised last year. They only had 6
days in-country, but one of the benefits of having hosted the agents
was that they understood that it was... > Read More
Added: 4 Nov 07
Market Segmentation
Last week I took a call from Seattle. A VIP with private jet wanted a
quick four days in New Zealand filled with helicopters, caves and
luxury lodges. We had the rough concept outlined and agreed in five
minutes and fully costed, quoted and... > Read More
Added: 6 Sep 07
Garbage In - Garbage Out
Our greatest risk is imperfect communication. We deliver what clients
want. What if what we think they want isn't what they want? Then we
deliver, beautifully, something they don't want, and we have an
unhappy client. We don't like unhappy... > Read More
Added: 2 Sep 07
Passing Beauty
On an end of season tour I was lucky enough to spend some time in the
Marlborough Sounds with clients who were interested in exploring the
area. Previous occasions on my part had always been rushed. We spent
two nights in the Convent - currently... > Read More
Added: 28 Jul 07