Incorporating Tabs On Travel

Tue 22 Mar 16 Issue 3272Another Great Travel Today Wraparound

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Tuesday 22 March 2016 Issue 3272

News.......................... p1, p2, p4, p5, p6Cruising Today................................. p3Gold Coast mega famil .................... p7helloworld ........................................ p8

8 Pages This Issue

I n c o r p o r a t i n g Ta b s o n Tr a v e l

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Aussie Strike UpdateA u s t r a l i a’s D e p a r t m e n t o f Immigration and Border Protection has provided more information on the upcoming strikes taking place at the country’s international airports.Anyone travelling overseas 22-25 Mar and 27 Mar-01 Apr is being urged to arrive at the airport early as there will be delays due to industrial action by DIBP staff, including the Australian Border Force (ABF). On Thu 24 Mar, there will be a major 24-hour stoppage which will cause delays for travellers arriving and de-parting Australia at all international airports and cruise ship terminals.Arrangements are being made to minimise the impact on travellers but there will be unavoidable delays, says the agency. Travellers should arrive early and proceed straight to customs and immigration clearance; and anyone who hasn’t yet booked their travel or can reschedule, should do so, it adds.

. . . Insurance?The Insurance Council New Zealand is encouraging travellers to check their policy wording and contact their insurer before making deci-sions about their travel if delayed by strikes.“Most comprehensive policies cover additional costs or cancellation costs caused by strikes, but some of the more basic policies do not provide this cover,” says the council. Travel-lers would have needed to book their travel before the possible strikes became public for this cover to be available.

All Blacks ChicagoAll Blacks Tours is advising agents that its Chicago Fan Flight packages will go on sale 0900 tomorrow—and with the 2014 Chicago tour selling out within days, fans are being urged to get in quick. All Blacks Tours will also release its Big Four package tomorrow, which takes in Chicago, Italy, Ireland and France. The Chicago game against Ireland takes place in Nov at Soldier Field. Both the Chicago Fan Flight and Big Four packages will include official match tickets, exclusive All Blacks events, accommodation, transport, the assistance of All Blacks Tours team and more. See allblackstours.com

Jetstar’s new Rarotonga service, which launches today, has seen higher levels of trade support than any of the carrier’s other routes here—which means JQ is already looking at improvements to its schedule.“In a short space of time JQ’s new Rarotonga service has received the highest share of travel industry bookings of any JQ flight from or

within New Zealand,” says JQ sales manager Mick Cottrell. “This matches the trade support we received at the recent Cook Islands Tourism national roadshow, where I was delighted to see how keen the trade is for extra capacity and a new car-rier—especially one offering low fares.”The first AKL-RAR flight departs at 1940 this evening, and with three return services a week JQ is adding more than 25,000 new seats on the route annually.The positive early signals mean JQ can immediately start looking at dif-ferent flight schedule options, says Cottrell. “Trade feedback on schedule and potential frequency growth is always helpful. This is certainly the best trade-supported JQ launch I have seen.”Lead-in fares on the route start at $219 one-way.

. . . Bumper SeasonThe Cook Islands welcomed 84,000 visitors from New Zealand in the last year. With the capacity boost together with the ‘low fare options’ offered by JQ, the local industry is expecting big things this year, says Cook Islands Tourism Corporation general man-ager Graeme West. “Since JQ announced its plans last year there has been an increased number of enquiries and bookings, and tourism operators are looking forward to a bumper season,” he says.

JQ RAR-AKL: Most Trade Support Yet

Wicked Under FireThe ongoing outcry against Wicked Campers is gaining speed with Tour-ism Minister Paula Bennett mounting a campaign to have slogans on vans censored.Bennett is working to get the Chief Censor to rule on the campervans, which are painted with slogans like ‘a man would be interested in a wom-an’s mind if it bounced gently as she walked’.Whangarei District Council has threatened to prosecute Wicked Campers if its vans with objectionable material on them are found in their area, and the Department of Conser-vation has removed Wicked Campers from a list of companies where tour-ists can buy a DOC campsite pass. The Kaiteriteri Beach Motor Camp has banned Wicked, and Top 10 Holiday Parks is encouraging its franchisees to either ask offending material to be covered, or ban the van entirely.

Air New Zealand has today announced that it will use a 787 aircraft to operate its non-stop sea-sonal Christchurch–Perth service (09 Dec-29 Apr)—adding almost 30% ca-pacity on the route, and making it the first sched-uled 787-9 schedule ser-vice to/from the South Island.The move also means that NZ’s sky couch, premium economy and busi-ness premier beds will be available on the twice-weekly flights.Talking up the 787-9 aircraft NZ chief commercial officer Cam Wallace says the Dreamliner has proved popu-lar on its AKL-PER route. “These mid-haul routes are perfect for ex-periencing the aircraft’s improved cabin environment including higher humidity and lower cabin altitude

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News & Product

Win EK Travel BuddiesEmirates recently launched a new range of soft toys to keep its young travellers entertained—which should be welcome news for those taking the family on EK’s ultra long-haul Auckland-Dubai service. The Fly With Me Animals range take over from the Fly With Me Monsters, with four new animals to be introduced every six months. First in the range is Lewis the lion, Peek U the panda, Enrico the monkey and Leila the camel, and the animals come in three product lines—a travel buddy, carry buddy (toy and blanket), and magnetic sketcher. Designed for children aged up to eight, they’re meant to be both entertaining and educational. Travel Today has four carry buddies to give away, to be in to win email which animal you’d like by 1700 on Tue 29 Mar to giveaways@traveltoday.co.nz

Air NZ Adds 787-9 On CHC-PER

which help passengers arrive at the destinations feeling more refreshed,” he says.The 787-9 PER flights are on sale f rom today and NZ has made changes to its long-term Aussie fares to include the aircraft change. See airnzagent.co.nz

KE Fare ChangesKorean Air has made some changes to its year-round published fare lev-els, effective for sales from 01 Apr. Any existing international bookings for travel originating in New Zealand must be ticketed by 31 Mar or the new fare levels will apply, advises KE. The GDS has been updated.

The iPad Winner is…Jo Drum from helloworld Mt Eden, pictured with Virgin Atlan-tic New Zealand manager Alan Wilcock, has won an iPad mini in the VS/Air Tickets airline of the month promotion. All agents who sold Premium Economy VS tickets in Feb, went into a draw to win the iPad.

Asia On Sale With QFQantas has a flash sale to a number of Asian points, for sales to mid-night 23 Mar. Return fares to Bang-kok or Singapore are from $848; to Kuala Lumpur or Phuket from $898; and Ho Chi Minh City from $998. The levels are for departures 29 Apr–15 Jun and 24 Jul–07 Sep. See qantas.co.nz/agents

Tue 22 Mar 16 Page 3

Flying to Raro, Raro,Raro3 times a week from 22 March 2016

^ Schedule subject to change.

L i n d b l a d E x p e d i t i o n s - National Geographic has released its latest Europe brochure, which includes six new 15-day ‘guest-inspired’ itineraries.“When we originally announced our Europe program, we offered guests a 10% savings on any two or more voyages in any sequence or combination. What happened was an impressive display of creativity by our guests, resulting in highly popular, unique itinerary com-binations. And from now on we are of-fering these ‘guest inspired’ itineraries to everyone,” says Sven Lindblad. Highlights include a western Mediter-ranean expedition from Monaco to Lisbon, with a complimentary three-day extension in Lisbon. There’s also a cruise following the D-Day trail from the beaches of Nor-mandy across the English Channel, starting in Bordeaux and finishing in Dublin. The voyage includes a

complimentary three-day pre-voyage extension of Bordeaux’s wine country. Clients can also cruise across the Baltics to Scandinavia, with a com-plimentary extension to St Peters-burg. The 15-day experience will see travellers visit the famous sail routes of the Hanseatic Leagues, touching down in the likes of Copenhagen and Stockholm to the old town of Tallinn and Riga. Launching in May, the 2016/17 itin-eraries start from AUD16,980pp t/s, with a $1500 discount for bookings by 30 Jun.

Lindblad’s New Euro Itineraries

Carnival Cuba ApprovalCarnival Corporat ion’s newest brand, Fathom, has been granted approval to begin travel to Cuba, from 01 May. The 704-passenger MV Adonia will be the first cruise ship to sail from the US to Cuba in over 50 years. During each seven-day sailing, the Fathom brand ini-tially will visit Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba and clients will have the chance to partake in the likes of Cuban- and Caribbean-inspired music and film options, as well as Cuban-inspired menu options. Special onboard program-ming will also include activities such as an overview on Cuba’s his-tory, Spanish lessons and more. Prices start at USD1800pp.

MSC’s Easter SaleMSC Cruises has released an Easter special where clients can save 25% off their second cruise for book-ings to 31 Mar and on selected departures throughout summer 2016 and winter 2017 on itineraries cruising the Mediterranean, Carib-bean, Arabian Peninsula and Cuba. See msccruises.com.au

Tea The Yasawa WayA must-do for clients cruising aboard Blue Lagoon Cruises’ Fiji Princess is to try the Yasawa Islands approach to a herbal cuppa at Lo’s Tea House on the beach at Nanuya Lailai. With a kaffir lime leaf plucked fresh from the bush, along with a slice of fresh root ginger and boiling water, the tea goes nicely with a slice of Lo’s freshly-baked banana cake, says Blue Lagoon.

Avalon Launch EventsAvalon Waterways reminds agents of its upcoming trade launch events for its 2017 river cruising season. There are 19 events across New Zealand in Apr. To find the event closest to you, and to RSVP, CLICK HERE

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News & Product

Book Sydney & Win

Arial view of Sydney Opera House Living Murai by Universal Everything.Vivid Sydney 2015. Image courtesy of DNSW.

A spot on our Vivid familBook Sydney between 07 March – 03 April 2016 to be in to win

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Trafalgar Italy DiscountsTrafalgar is offering a 30% discount for a second guest on 20 of its popu-lar Italy holidays departing between May and Sep. The promotion is valid for new bookings only and must be paid in full by 27 Mar. The 30% second guest discount is valid off the land portion only and based on a 15%pp discount applied to both guests on the booking. A 15% saving is also available for single travellers (on s/t price, ex-cludes single supplement) and odd-numbered travellers in a larger booking. Tours include the 17-day Grand Italian Experience guided holiday to and from Rome departing 09 Jun, priced from $4218 for the second passenger.

Cuba Hotel BookingsBooking.com says it is set to become the first digital travel brand to launch instantly-bookable hotels in Cuba. The first Cuba properties will be ready to book in the coming weeks, it adds.

Win An Airport TourAuckland Airport is offering a rare chance to see what goes on behind the scenes at the airport, as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations. The airport will take 150 people on a tour in Apr, which will include rare views of the Airport Emergency Ser-vice station, the fire training ground and rescue fire training school, marine rescue equipment and hov-ercrafts, and up close views of air-craft landing, taking off and taxiing. “For aviation enthusiasts, this is a unique and possibly once-in-a-lifetime experience,” says airport gm of marketing and technology Jason Delamore.The travel industry is welcome to enter the competition, says the air-port. To be in to win a place on the tour, entrants need to share a special Auckland Airport memory at aucklandairport.co.nz/airsidetour

Moxy Munich AirportMarriott has opened a new airport hotel in Munich under its budget-friendly Moxy brand. Moxy Munich Airport is five min-utes from the airport’s main termi-nal and features 252 guest rooms outfitted with sound-reducing walls, LCD flat screen televisions, free Wi-Fi and floor to ceiling art pieces.

The merger between Marriott and Starwood is back on after Marriott came back to the table with a bet-ter offer than that proposed by the Anbang consortium.The merger was put on hold after the unsolicited bid by the consor-tium proved more appealing than what Marriott had originally offered. However Marriott upped its offer and has now signed an amendment to its definitive merger agreement with Starwood. Starwood’s board is unanimously

recommending the amended merger agreement with Marriott to Star-wood’s stockholders. “We are pleased that Marriott has recognised the value that Starwood brings to this merger and enhanced the consideration be-ing paid to Starwood shareholders,” says Starwood board chairman Bruce Duncan. “We continue to be excited about the combination of Starwood and Marriott, which will create the world’s largest hotel company with an unparalleled platform for global growth in the upscale segment.”Under the merger agreement, Star-wood can no longer engage in dis-cussions or negotiations with the consortium.

NZ Islands On SaleAir New Zealand has flights to the islands on sale to 24 Mar, with one-way Seat + Bag fares starting at $149 to Tonga, $189 to Samoa, $199 to Fiji, Niue and Norfolk Island, $219 to New Caledonia, $229 to Rarotonga, $399 to Tahiti, $499 to Bali and $459 to Honolulu. Premium economy flights are also available. See airnzagent.co.nz

Marriott/Starwood Merger Back On

Music In TownsvilleThe Australian Festival of Chamber Music will return to Townsville in North Queensland from 29 Jul to 06 Aug this year, bringing 35 artists from all over the world—including six who will make their Australian debut. The programme has just been unveiled for the popular fes-tival, which is staged in churches, theatres, galleries, gardens and on Orpheus Island. Tickets go on sale to the general public from 11 Apr. See afcm.com.au

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BUSINESS

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Helloworld Australia says it now boasts the largest independent agent consortia in Australia with the combination of its affiliat-ed agents to the new My Travel Group network. Calling the move the culmination of more than a year’s work with its Affiliate and Concorde Agency Networks, helloworld boss Andrew Burnes says that the new group represents more than AUD1 billion TTV.The network has been developed in conjunction with its affiliated agents and offers the members ‘the advantage of our combined scale, purchasing power and supplier deals plus our support in growing their businesses’, adds Burnes.Helloworld Australia head of corpo-rate, associate and affiliate networks

David Padman says My Travel Group is an affiliation brand, not a retail agency brand, which supports its agents’ individual brands and iden-tities. “It allows our agents to be recognised as part of a network, es-pecially by our suppliers,” he added.

. . . Kiwi Debut?While Burnes has said in the past that helloworld New Zealand would have access to all the resources available in the wider group-there is no word yet if My Travel Group is set to be rolled out in the Kiwi market.

New Luxury CollectionSmall Luxury Hotels of the World has welcomed four new hotels to its collection: MUSE St Tropez, lo-cated in the south of France; Japan’s Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse which is located at the base of Mount Niseko Annupuri, one of the premier powder destinations in the world; RIVA – Das Hotel Am Bodensee, an art deco villa in Ger-many; and Villa Franca a boutique hotel in the heart of Positano’s old streets.

HLO Makes Affiliate Change In Australia

Eurostar’s Busy EasterEurostar is set for a busy Easter bank holiday weekend as over 128,000 pas-sengers are expected to travel with the high-speed rail operator—a 4% rise in passenger numbers compared to the same time last year. Fri 25 Mar is the busiest day for departures from the UK, with over 22,000 people travelling—a 17% increase compared to Easter Fri last year; while Paris is the most popular destination, with over 21,000 Brits escaping the UK for a mini break in France’s capital.“With the launch of free Wi-Fi and over 300 hours of popular onboard entertainment across our new fleet, there’s never been a better time to take the train to mainland Eu-rope,” says director of communi-cations Mary Walsh. There is also increased seat capacity on the new e320 train and Eurostar is offering a lead-in price of GBP29 one-way to Paris/Brussels/Lille and fares from GBP37 to hundreds of destinations across France, Holland and Belgium. See eurostar.com for more.

Plantation Value DealsFiji’s Plantation Island Resort has extended its value pack deals for sales through to 31 Mar, advises Coconuts Travel Marketing. Value Pack 1 includes a Plantation Island t-shirt for children, a Subsea Trip for a family of up to five, FJD100 F&B credit per room per stay. Value Pack 2 includes a one-hour massage for two adults, three hours’ babysitting, and a fresh fruit platter with a bottle of wine. Value Pack 3 includes a room upgrade, subject to availability, a round of gold for two with motorised cart and club hire and 20% off all motorised water sports. Each value deal is valid in all markets for all room types and combinable with its current stay/pay deals, S5P4, S7P5 and 3KID, advises Coconuts.

WA, Crown PartnershipTourism Western Australia and Crown Hotels have forged a partner-ship to promote Perth, and wider WA to the world, as the destination gears up for huge changes and new openings. This includes the six-star Crown Towers Perth, which is set to open in Dec, with 500 oversized guestrooms and villas boasting views of the city. Hotel facilities include a lagoon-style swimming pool, private ca-banas and poolside dining, a fitness centre and more. Additionally, Perth is set to welcome a new 60,000 seat stadium and a range of new bars and restaurants.

Ho Chi Minh Airport BusHo Chi Minh now has an airport bus service which connects Ho Chi Minh’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport and downtown Saigon, ad-vises Active Asia.For around USD1 budget travellers can ride the bus from the airport and hop off at any one of 12 drop off points around the city (such as Lang Cha Ca Roundabout, Nguyen Dinh Chieu and the Ben Thanh Roundabout). Operating every 20 minutes the bus-es have capacity for 70 passengers sitting and standing. Local airport workers and backpackers are ex-pected to be the main clientele, adds the wholesaler.Active Asia recommends that agents urge clients to stick with its private car transfer from only NZ$28

Industry DiaryConference Centre, 1730-2015. Wellington: Tue 05 April, Amora Hotel, 1730-2015. Hamilton: Wed 06, Ferrybank Reception Centre, 1730-2015. Auckland: Thu 07, Stamford Hotel, 1730-2030. Auckland North Shore: Fri 08, QBE Stadium, 0700-0930.

Avalon Waterways 2017 LaunchKerikeri: Wed 06, The Fish Bone, 1730. Lower Hutt/Wellington: Wed 06, La Bella Italia, 1745. Whangarei: Thu 07, Dickens Inn, 1730. New Plymouth: Thu 07, Waterfront Hotel, 1745. Hamilton: Mon 11, Hamilton Gardens cafe, 1745. Tauranga: Tue 12, Macau, 1745. Dunedin: Tue 12, Wains Hotel, 1730. Auckland, East: Wed 13, Fisher House, 1745. Timaru: Wed 13, Mocca Cafe, 1730. Napier: Wed 13, Crown Hotel, 1745.Auckland, West: Thu 14, The Falls, Henderson,

1745. Palmerston North: Thu 14, Distinction, 1745. Ashburton: Thu 14, Lushingtons, 1730. Auckland, North: Tue 19, Takapuna Boating Club, 1745. Christchurch: Tue 19, Dux Central, 1745. Invercargill: Wed 20, Kelvin Hotel, 1730. Queenstown: Thu 21, Copthorne Hotel, 1745. Nelson: Wed 27, Monaco Resort, 1730. Blenheim: Thu 28, Watery Mouth Cafe, 1730.

Queensland on TourQueenstown: Wed 06-Fri 08, Skyline Queenstown.

Gold Coast Tourism Agents FunctionAuckland: Mon 11, Everybodys, 1730.Tauranga: Tue 12, Trinity Wharf, 1730. Hamilton: Wed 13, Gothenburg, 1730.

MARCH 2016Air New Zealand Vietnam RoadshowHamilton: Tue 22, Viet Thai Village, 1800-2000. Auckland: Wed 23, Air New Zealand Customer, Innovation and Collaboration Centre, 1800-2000.

JAWS RoadshowTauranga: Tue 22, Tauranga Yacht Club, 70 Keith Allen Drive, 1700-2000. Hamilton: Wed 23, Novotel Tainui, 7 Alma Street, 1700-2000.

Innovative Travel WWI Western Front Information Evening Auckland: Tue 22, RSA Birkenhead, 1730.

APRILTourism Fiji Bula Marau Family RoadshowPalmerston North: Mon 04, Distinction Hotel, 0700-0930.Christchurch: Mon 04, Tait

Samoa Tourism Exchange 2016Tue 12-Thu 14, details tba.

Vanuatu Tourism RoadshowChristchurch: Mon 18. Wellington: Tue 19. Auckland: Wed 20.Times and venues tba.

Asia Road Show: Cathay Pacific/Adventure World/ Exodus Breakfast updatesNew Plymouth: Tue 19. Palmerston North: Wed 20. Wellington: Thu 21. Times and venues tba.

Wendy Wu Tours Update & ‘Jungle Book’ film eveningChristchurch: Wed 27, Hoyts Riccarton, 1745. Wellington: Thu 28, The Embassy Theatre, 1800. Auckland: Thu 28, Rialto Newmarket, 1800.

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News & Product

1 Online Republic’s Rani Petard, Rohan Marx, Chris Houston and Brigitte Allen. 2 Industry figures Chris Ireland, Pan Pacific and Gareme Badland, PDNZ. 3 David Beattie, HOT; Guy Robinson, ABG; Doug Gordon, Helloworld; and Chris Ireland, Pan Pacific. 4 Gilpin Travel’s Mike Hogan, Grant Avis, Keith Sumner and John Bento. 5 ABG Team: Mark Laurence and Avis Budget staff. 6 Sausage delight Keith Sumner and Christine van Jaarsveld. 7 Vehicle Chip Protection team. 8 APX Travel’s Douglas Wylde, Garrick Loft, Chris Wilson and Steve Mutton. 9 FirstTravel Group Pukekohe’s Andrew Herewini, Jim Murphy, Doug Hull and Jim Peacock. 10 Briscoes & Fly Buys. 11 Tandem Travel & ABG: Rachel Lilley, Daniel Cantin, Margaret Holden and Elodie Hazera. 12 Tandem Travel Rachel Lilley, Olivia Brown, Scott Beadle, Margaret Holden. 13 Executive Travel’s Kevin Weston (second from left) and team. 14 Pan Pacific Travel’s Anne Marshall, Margaret Simpson, Pam Savidan and Lynda Carson. 15 Holden NZ and Selina Martin, ABG. 16 Flight Centre Group’s Emma Christiansen, Jono Norton and Nathan Marston.

The Avis Budget Group has been raising funds for Cure Kids for the past 10 years, and last week hosted its annual Cure Kids golf day at Auckland’s Aviation Golf Course. Some 100 players from across the industry, including suppli-ers, industry representatives and our Avis teams, turned out in force and raised more than $25,000 in the process. The golfers has lots of fun, played some great golf and they even got a well-deserved beer at the end. The Executive Travel team picked up the major spot prize.

Industry’s Cure Kids Golf Day

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Incorporating Tabs On TravelFri 13 Mar 15 p7Incorporating Tabs On TravelThu 17 Mar 16 p7Incorporating Tabs On TravelFri 13 Mar 15 p7Incorporating Tabs On TravelTue 22 Mar 16 p7GOLD COAST MEGA FAMIL

GC From The Sky: SkyPoint Observation DeckSkyPoint Observation Deck, located on levels 77 and 78 of the Q1 Building in Surfers Paradise, the only beach-side observation deck in Australia, pro-vides 360° views of the Gold Coast skyline and coastline. Rising 230m into the sky, SkyPoint is a popular attraction for both locals and visitors alike, of-fering dining options at Seventy7 Café and Bar, while it also transforms into a high altitude lounge bar with music every Fri and Sat night and Sunset Sounds on a Sun afternoon. Those who are up to the challenge can also take on the 90-min SkyPoint climb, where they will buckle up into harnesses and climb 298 stairs outside of the building to reach its summit. See skypoint.com.au

Although the Gold Coast New Zealand Trade Mega Famil has now wrapped up, agents have the chance to learn all about the destination and its products at the tourism organisation’s Kiwi sales mission events.The Gold Coast Tourism Agent Func-tions, to be held in Auckland (11 Apr), Tauranga (12 Apr) and Hamilton (13 Apr) will feature presentations from a number of operators, whilst agents will also have the chance to win a holi-day for two to the Gold Coast.Gold Coast Tourism Corporation’s Michael Thurston says as the Gold Coast remains New Zealand’s number one international holiday destination, with over 190,000 Kiwis visiting last year, along with ‘literally billions of dollars being spent on new or refur-bishing existing tourism product’, there’s plenty of developments and exciting opportunities for agents to learn about.“Kiwis spend over $270 million on the Gold Coast (excluding flights and accommodation). This is a huge figure and representative of the huge oppor-tunities that the Gold Coast presents to the Kiwi travel trade,” he says.“The popularity of the Gold Coast is no surprise to those of you who

know what our fantastic destination has to offer, with 70kms of stunning coastline, over 300 days of sunshine, more attractions than anywhere else in the southern hemisphere and 100 hectares of rainforest. . . Come along to one of our events and get the inside knowledge straight from the opera-tors directly and become a Gold Coast expert.”The Auckland function is at full ca-pacity, however, agents can e-mail kate.fulton@gctourism.com to be added to the waitlist; to register for the Tauranga event, CLICK HERE; and to register for the Hamilton event, CLICK HERE

Jetboat ThrillsClients looking for an hours’ worth of thrills, should book in with Paradise Jet Boating. Operating in Broadwa-ter and Moreton Bay Marine Park, clients will cruise past Sea World, multi-million dollar mansions and more whilst keeping a lookout for dolphins. Along with the scenery, clients will enjoy high speed drift-ing and 360° spins—it’s a good idea to recommend they take along a spare change of clothes as they are likely to get very, very wet. See paradisejetboating.com.au

GC A Top Choice, Learn More

NRL In Action: Titans Take On Tigers The NRL remains popular with many Kiwi travellers and the Mega Fam group headed to the Cbus Super Stadium to watch the Gold Coast Titans take on the Wests Tigers. Enjoying dinner and drinks at the Aquis Club Lounge prior to the league game, the group then headed into the stands to catch the action; however, the highlight for many was the chance to check out the players’ sheds after the game. Pictured enjoying the evening is:1 House of Travel’s Tanya Scobie; Flight Centre’s Jolanda Odermatt; and Helloworld’s Scott Goodwin. 2 Infinity Holidays’ Julia Rees and Baden Liu. 3 Virgin Airlines’ Naomi Ferreira with Gold Coast Titans player Ryan James. 4 Travel Managers’ Alison Sharp with Gold Coast Titans player Ryan James.

Stars & Rides At Movie WorldA trip to the Gold Coast isn’t complete without a trip to a theme park, so the Mega Fam group tested out many of the rides, as well as having breakfast with the stars at Movie World. With the likes of a Spiderman rollercoaster, a Scooby Doo ‘spooky coaster’, Wild West log ride, Looney Tunes 4D cinema and more, there’s some-thing for everyone of all ages. For further details see movieworld.com.auPictured at Movie World is: 1 The entire Mega Fam group getting ready to ex-plore Movie World. 2 Helloworld’s Amanda McGruddy; Harvey World Travel’s Rachel Bown; and Helloworld’s Scott Goodwin posing with Green Lantern and Wonder Woman. 3 STA Travel, Christchurch’s Francesca Massey; and Flight Centre Christchurch’s Sam Park enjoying the sites. 4 Air New Zealand’s Kaz Cairns pictured with Bugs Bunny and Tweety.

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HELLOFUTURE

Expressions of interest and any questions to be sent to recruitmentdrive@apx.co.nz. Applications close 26 March 2016. All applications will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

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We have the most advanced travel technology platform in the New Zealand market and we’re looking for a Product Specialist to join us.

You’ll bring excellent customer service skills, attention to detail, superior knowledge of travel technology solutions and the ability to provide innovative solutions.

Reporting to the Manager – Product, and part of our national Product & Innovation team, your role will assist in the management of APX’s suite of technology applications to ensure a superb customer experience and help maintain our reputation at the forefront of travel technology.

As part of the helloworld group we are living in exciting times. APX Travel Management is looking to expand the team to take full advantage of the significant opportunities that lay ahead. We have an incredible team, cutting edge technology and a highly desirable and loyal customer base.

We have a number of roles available throughout the Country and offer compelling career opportunities across the group with packages to suit.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGERS

This role promotes our compelling proposition as a market leader to potential new clients across all markets. You need to be well connected, love the thrill of the chase and thrive on success. Building and nurturing a sales pipeline will be a key part of this role and as the voice of APX you will be inspired by our customer proposition, competitive base salary and uncapped commission structure.

Experience in managing and responding to a large scale tender process will be highly regarded. Based in Auckland and reporting in to the Head of Business Development this role has a seemingly endless potential pipeline, meaning the sky really is the limit.

PARTNERSHIP MANAGER

This position is responsible for maintaining the very best relationship with our existing customers. It’s the essential link between the customer’s business and ours.

This integral role is responsible for developing and executing strategic business plans which align to our customer’s key objectives and values.

Your passion is to exceed the expectations of a diverse portfolio of clients.

If you’re a talented professional, preferably with industry experience, strong interpersonal and communication skills, sense of humour, like to challenge mediocrity, and want to join a successful National team, we would love to talk to you.

Travel Today, Tuesday 22 March 2016 Page 8