News

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 impossible to see the whole country meaningfully in that time. So we only focussed on Auckland, Northland and Rotorua. A helicopter and classic launch... > Read more

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 booked within 24 hours. Their trip was "in the system" with private jet handlers, helicopter operators, private guides and lodges all working... > Read more

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 clients. Let me share a quandary I find myself in. I have a wonderful client coming over Christmas, a large family group using a number of helicopters, a... > Read more

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 being thoughtfully and beautifully renovated and extended by new owners Layonie and Denholm Seque This is definitely a property to watch. But what... > Read more

A number of very high quality "super-lodges" have historically occupied the high ground in terms of obvious places to stay booked by people with a limited depth of understanding as to what is available in New Zealand. The arrival of the internet has to a certain extent loosened this hold, allowing vibrant new lodges, often owner-operated, to develop new directions. Some of these offer... > Read more

As part of our continuing push to develop understanding of New Zealand in the former Soviet Union, we recently hosted journalists representing the Russian Edition of National Geographic Traveler, the Russian Edition of the Robb Report, and a Russian travel TV programme. They took us in as a part of a Pacific-wide trip incorporating New Zealand, Australia and Tahiti. Their favourite part? New... > Read more

I received an offer in the mail today. From my bank. It was for a platinum Visa card (thank you to all those clients I have chartered aircraft on credit for!). One of the advantages touted in the card was "24 hour concierge service. Take a helicopter to the coast!". As someone who often takes helicopters to the coast I started getting interested. What's this? Is someone finally... > Read more

We enjoy creating experiences for clients. Not special soap in a qualmarked lodge. We're talking experiences. Up north we have been working for years with Hone Mihaka of Taiamai - www.taiamaitours.co.nz. Hone shares a passion for the authentic and also delights in creating. We had some clients earlier this month who were the owners of a top outbound US agency dealing in South Africa.... > Read more

In case you know anyone putting together "exclusive experiences", often preceded by words such as "ultimate" and "discerning", it might be worth putting this one in front of them... Our clients wanted a taste of "real New Zealand". They liked mountains, wildlife, food and real people. We suggested Silver Pine Lodge on Lake Hawea. Everything except the... > Read more

Now that the busy season is winding down in New Zealand, we have had a chance to think a little about how the market has moved on and how we can work with more people to everyone's benefit. One message which we are receiving at the moment is that inbounders are increasingly comfortable with using regional destination managers to enhance their service offering in different regions around the... > Read more