media & trade • newsletter

July 2008

Message from the CEO

At times it feels like everyone is talking 'carbon this' and 'carbon that'. While some might question what is real and what is media hype, there's no doubt that as an industry we are facing some serious issues which deserve our continued concern and attention.

The environment is such a big part of what we do in tourism and it deserves our respect. At NTT we try and do what we can to reduce waste - we recycle, we judge suppliers on their sustainable practices, we buy locally roasted coffee and serve local wine at functions. To celebrate World Environment Day on Thursday 5 June, we held an in-house carbon challenge to raise further awareness about the effects of daily decisions in the office and at home.

Sustainable Tourism Assessor David Purdie devised a basic carbon calculator and had staff members record their regular habits on the Wednesday, before we tried to improve them the following day.

You can read about how we went below. If you'd like to find out more about how you can help our environment visit the Nelson Tasman Sustainable Tourism Charter website or contact our sustainable tourism assessor David Purdie david@nelsonnz.com

Cheers,

Paul

Nelson Tasman Tourism to Manage Murchison Visitor Centre      

NTT will take over management of the Murchison Visitor Centre as of 1 August.

Tasman District Council and Nelson City Council have both agreed to provide the additional funding required to introduce an electronic point of sale system and extend the centre's opening hours. Long-term we hope to build the centre to national i-SITE standards, which includes offering a seven-day-a-week service year-round.

As the southern gateway into the region, Murchison is an important location for conveying messages about attractions throughout Nelson Tasman.

We'd like to thank MVIC Chair Wendy Wood and committee member Emma Monk for the hard work they have put into effecting the changeover, which will not only be positive for Murchison, but for the wider region. 

Goodbye to Jo      

Some plant trees, others recycle (although we do that too!), but for the greater good of the planet Nelson Tasman Tourism has had to let its fabulous Marketing Assistant Jo Martin go.

Jo, who was responsible for our media itineraries and also worked in the Nelson i-SITE, has taken up the position of Environmental Educator at Nelson City Council.

We will miss her terribly but like to think she's still working for us...by helping clean up the environment we and our visitors enjoy so much.

Nelson i-SITE Counter Supervisor, Jenny Strong, is working with Astrid on media and trade itineraries until we fill the gap.

Nelson Finalist for Prestigious National Award      

Awaroa Lodge General Manager Allan Forsdick has been named as one of three finalists for the national PATA Tourism Young Professional Award.

Nelson Tasman Tourism nominated both Allan and Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco Managing Director Clare Davies for the award.

Chief Executive Paul Davis says both are leaders in their field and are an asset to both the local and national industry.

"Being named as a finalist is well deserved recognition of Allan's hard work and leadership."

The winner will be announced at the New Zealand Tourism Awards on Tuesday 5 August.

Snow for Spring Photo Shoot      

Only in Nelson could you do a spring-themed photo shoot on the day we received the lowest level snowfall in living memory!

The girls day out photo shoot on Saturday 5 July was arranged in part for our regional image library and for the Nelson Spring domestic marketing campaign.

While some Nelson residents reported their first snowfall in 25 years, our hardy models braved the chill for the spring-themed shots and even managed to keep smiling.

Pictured: the girls in a winter shot at Neudorf Vineyard

NTT's Carbon Challenge      

The environment was the winner at the end of the day when NTT staff put themselves on a carbon challenge to celebrate World Environment Day recently.

Transportation, food origin and packaging, shower duration, and household recycling, composting and rubbish disposal behaviours were measured in a bid to raise awareness about daily habits in the home and workplace. 

Among the day's highlights were the look on the face of the waitress at Morrison Street Cafe when Domestic Marketing Manager Angela Moriarty queried the origin of the ingredients in her smoked salmon and  hummus rolls.

"It was priceless, she looked at me like I was slightly strange - which to be fair I kind of am - but came back from the kitchen with a full report from the chef with very positive results...and a delicious meal."

Cost-effective but relatively sustainable prizes were up for grabs and were allocated according to two categories; Sustainable Excellence and Green Bogey awards.

Among the day's winners were:

• Michael and Angela for the best reduction in electricity/transport and water use respectively (Angela still claims she did shower that day)
• Ron, Cathy and Astrid for producing commendably small amounts of waste (household waste that is)
• Charlotte for achieving the best reduction in carbon emissions in lots of different categories
• Golden Bay and Murchison i-SITES for reducing their daily electricity usage

Overall everyone who participated gave consideration to the global effects of our consumption patterns.

NZ Wellness Tourism Symposium Registrations Open      

Hawaii Island Wellness Travel Association founding president Susanne Sims has been confirmed as the keynote speaker for the New Zealand Wellness Tourism Symposium, being held at Rutherford Hotel Nelson in September.

Registrations for the inaugural symposium, which will set the scene for the industry's strategic development in New Zealand, are now open.

As well as being the founding president of Hawaii's wellness travel and ecotourism associations, Susanne Sims has also served as Chair of the Hawaii Island Visitors Bureau Spa and Wellness Marketing Committee.

The Ministry of Tourism and Tourism New Zealand will also be presenting at the symposium, examining how wellness tourism fits into the vision of the New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2015, New Zealand's position in the wellness tourism market, and product development opportunities.

The two-day event is being planned by a committee comprising the Nelson Wellness Cluster, Nelson Regional Economic Development Agency, Nelson Tasman Tourism and onCue.

Spa and wellness tourism is a multi billion dollar industry internationally. NZTE is currently carrying out a feasibility study to address New Zealand's position in the global industry.

The draft programme and registrations are available at www.wellnesstourismnz.com.

TRENZ      

Nelson Marlborough is becoming much more 'mainsteam' with international trade, according to the team who exhibited at TRENZ recently.

The Nelson Marlborough International Marketing Alliance met with 70 wholesalers during the event.

NTT International Marketing Manager Astrid Fisher says the key developments were an increasing number of online agencies and a greater understanding of Nelson Marlborough.

"We no longer need to start appointments with explaining where we are which means we can get straight down to business."

Astrid is heading overseas later this month to visit key wholesalers and frontline agents in the US, Canada, and UK.

Pictured: Sareena Fraser and Richard Grimes of the WOW & Classic Cars Museum, with former Latitude Nelson Marketing Manager Nona Jackson who was at TRENZ representing Kirra Tours.

Nelson Tests The Potential for Indian Market      

Senior Executives from nine Indian travel wholesalers visited Nelson Tasman in June to see what the region can offer their clients.  This was a good opportunity for us to learn more about the potential of this market, who generally travel in our shoulder and low-seasons, and travel in family groups.  The weather was kind to us for the visit, and feedback from the Indians about our tourism product was very positive.  We will continue to work with these wholesalers to encourage Nelson Tasman's inclusion in their programmes and itineraries. 

While the Indian market is very much an emerging market for Nelson Tasman,  New Zealand received about 10,000 holiday arrivals from India for the year-ended May 08 - 4% up on the same period last year. 

Keen to Explore Media and Trade Opportunities?      

While Tourism New Zealand organise hosted famils, many agents and media visit New Zealand independently.

TNZ's Explore New Zealand guidebook is a discount programme aimed at those travel agents and media visiting New Zealand off their own bat.

Operators can list in this publication for free by offering discount deals (50% off or 'two for one' deals for the cardholder and their partner are standard), valid for the publication duration.

Registrations are now open for the 2009/10 issue, for which offered discounts must be valid for the two-year period from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2010.

Interested operators should register at www.tourismnewzealand.com by Friday 15 August.

i-SITE National Database      

Thanks to  those of you who have uploaded your company details and product information on the i-SITE national database.  If you have uploaded your company details, but have not put in any product information - please ensure you go back in and complete this.

If you haven't had the opportunity to enter your information, please do so as soon as possible. You will have recently received a reminder email with your username and password.  If any of you need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us by emailing Michael@NelsonNZ.com.

i-SITE New Zealand has a deadline of 31 August, so please help ensure the Nelson Tasman region has good representation on this quality nationwide database by inputting your details.

Visitor Centre Display Advertising      

An important reminder that brochure & poster display within Nelson, Golden Bay  & Murchison visitor centres is now overdue.

If you have not yet renewed, it is important to do so now to make the most of the display period 1 July 2008 - 30 June 2009 as pro rata rates are not available.  Simply log on at www.NelsonNZ.com/advertise.with.us to make your purchase.  Make sure you check out the rate card to make the most of the special deals, such as the 10% DIY discount for purchasing online, and 20% discount for brochures in all three centres. 

If you need help with the payment and purchase process, please contact Michael on 03 545 6851 or email Michael@NelsonNZcom.  If you do not wish to continue displaying, it would be appreciated if you could let Michael know so that our records can be updated.

New Sustainability Guides      

New sector-specific guides aimed at helping operators implement the recommendations of the New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2015 and outline ways businesses can help create a sustainable tourism industry have been developed and are available online.

So far the four-page guides have been developed for three sectors – accommodation and hospitality, transport, and visitor activities.   The next three to be completed over the next few weeks are: Maori tourism, distribution and cultural tourism.

The guides were developed in partnership by the government and the Tourism Industry Association.

Sustainable Tourism Charter Meeting      

A successful catch-up meeting for Nelson Tasman Sustainable Tourism Charter members was held at Monaco Hotel & Resort on Friday 20 June.  Information was provided on where the Charter has been and where it is heading.  Presentations were given by three guest speakers; Mark Walter (Ministry of Tourism), Ian Challenger (Cawthron Institute) and Rory Cobb.                                 

Feedback from those present was very supportive of what the Charter does and what it has achieved. A key outcome of the meeting was the future potential for establishment of a cross-sectoral sustainable business network and advisor in association with Nelson Tasman Tourism, Sustainable Business Network, Nelson Tasman EDA and the Cawthron Institute.

For information regarding the Nelson Tasman Sustainable Tourism Charter visit our website or email David (david@nelsonNZ.com).

Monthly Statistics      

Here are the latest Nelson Tasman statistics on domestic and international guest nights and www.NelsonNZ.com website visits

Guest Nights	May 08	% Change May 07	YE May 08	% Change YE May 07
Domestic	40,020	-6%	842,750	5%
International	20,090	3%	450,680	2.5%
Total	60,105	-3%	1,293,430	4.1%

 
Source: Statistics NZ

Website Visits - www.NelsonNZ.com

	May 08	% change from May 07
Unique Visits	9123	24%
No. of Visits	19316	51%

Most Visited Pages
1. Accommodation
2. Events
3. Sights & Activities
4. About Nelson

Origin of Visitors (to site)
1. United States
2. Australia
3. New Zealand
4. Great Britain

Operator Update - What's New      

• Atholwood Luxury Country Accommodation have received a 5 star Qualmark rating for both their Guest & Hosted and Self Contained & Serviced accommodation.
• Monaco Hotel & Resort has rebranded as Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco Apartments.
• There's nothing standard about Rutherford Hotel anymore - the final upgrade of the standard rooms to executive and suite style has been completed.
• Wilsons Abel Tasman's new catamaran is due to hit the park in November. The cat will replace the Abel Tasman Explorer, and will carry up to 140 passengers.
• Jason and Brenda have sold Abel Tasman Sailing Adventures to a family of keen sailors with 22 years experience living and working in the park. Marketing and booking enquiries should be forwarded to Brunna Ritchny at info@sailingadventures.co.nz.

Snippets      

• Supplies of your Nelson Tasman Official Visitor Guide getting low?  Email Tracy to arrange for further supplies
• Nelson Tasman Tourism can offer advice for operators on checking the credentials of any visitors requesting travel industry media or trade discounts - contact Astrid on 03 545 6853 or email astridf@nelsonnz.com
• Will water become the new oil? Check out the story here. 
•  Due to time constraints we will no longer be hosting a Winter Seminar Series, as publicised in our last trade newsletter.
• A new amendment to the Employment Relations Act has given employees with caring responsibilities the right to request flexible work as of 1 July.
• The Department of Labour is commencing it's review, Immediate and Long Term Skill Shortage Lists, and you are invited to consider making a submission that reflects your industry and our region's needs.  If you would like to make a submisssion email the Department of Labour shortagesreview@dol.govt.nz  for more information.  Feedback is due by 28 November.  We encourage you to circulate this to others who may have an interest in making a submission.