Archive for the 'Tourism New Zealand' Category

My last blog post

Posted by Ruth Atherley on June 29, 2009 at 2:05 pm

Having the opportunity to experience New Zealand was incredible. Writing this blog also gave me the opportunity to share some of the magic and beauty of the country. I hope that readers of the blog found it interesting, useful and a little entertaining. The TRENZblog will remain online for a few more months, just in case you want to come back and check it out. Who knows, maybe it will be brought back to life next year for TRENZ 2010. I know I have a long list of places and activities I would like to blog about!

As my final blog post for TRENZblog 2009, I wanted to put forward a few thoughts, things I learned, moments I discovered, experiences I had, and things that made this trip exceptional. Some are life changing—those big AHA moments that come when you least expect them—and others are little things that led me to those bigger moments or to a better travel experience.

So for what it’s worth, here are a few things to think about:

Guided tours are a great thing

I have to admit, before this trip, I would have said I’d rather just rent a car and head out on my own personal adventures. After having the pleasure of seeing New Zealand with knowledgeable guides, I have changed my mind. Having someone with me who knew the area, the history and the cultural significance was priceless. It expanded each experience and gave me so much more than if I were there on my own.

Try new things

I never would have thought that I would eat whitebait (especially once I saw what they looked like!), but I did and it was an interesting experience. Now, I wish I had tried possum pie…maybe next time!

Ask around

In New Zealand, people are exceptional. They go out of their way to help you get to where you are going and to have a great experience. Ask people where they go for dinner, what they do on a rainy (or sunny) day and then ask them why they love New Zealand. The answers you get will take you to new places and may inspire you. One word of advice, don’t ask one of the naked rugby players during the game.

Live in the moment

One of the most incredible things I did was the helicopter tour to the top of the mountain. Drinking champagne overlooking Queenstown was a very special moment for me. I took a visual snapshot of myself standing up there on top of the world and I will keep that feeling with me forever.

Take that leap of faith

I am so glad that I didn’t back out of my bungy jump. And I really, really, really wanted to! Looking down into the canyon, I didn’t think I could do it. But I did. And I proved something to myself (of course, it did take four bungy professionals to talk me into proving that something to myself, but that’s another story). Take that leap, follow your dreams and try something you always wanted to do!

When you are thinking about your next big vacation, consider New Zealand. Full disclosure – I am a part of the PR team in Canada for Tourism New Zealand. Going there—and this blog—is a part of my job (tough gig, but someone has to do it!). The great people at TNZ were incredibly supportive about this being an authentic blog—not just a marketing piece—and I had great freedom to write what I thought.

I have travelled a great deal in my life and I can say without hesitation that New Zealand is a place you should experience at least once in your lifetime. The scenery is breathtaking; the activities are exciting, exhilarating and a little insane or they can be gentle, calm and peaceful. The food and wine are world-class and the people…well, Kiwis are exceptional. They are open, funny, full of adventure and always willing to take the time to make sure you have a great vacation in their country.

Kia ora!  

V, Silver Linings and Big Opportunities

Posted by Ruth Atherley on June 8, 2009 at 12:10 am

I had the opportunity to speak with Tourism Industry Association Chief Executive Tim Cossar recently. I have to say, as our chat was a couple of weeks prior to TRENZ, Mr. Cossar was incredibly calm and laid back. Although when I mentioned this he laughed and said he will probably exist on V (a New Zealand energy drink) and adrenaline during TRENZ.

“There are close to 270 exhibitors at TRENZ 2009,” he explained. “That’s a good number and we have 26 new exhibitors, which is always exciting.” While Mr. Cossar says that the current economic challenges in the world are a concern, he also sees a silver lining. “TRENZ is an important place for people to meet and network. In times such as these, it is of even more value. We’re all feeling the effects of the economic climate and the people that are coming to TRENZ are giving themselves extra opportunities to make connections and network, and to find new or different ways to build their business.”

“I think that Tourism New Zealand has well-positioned us as the youngest country on earth. That’s key to who we are and I think it’s a big part of our personality as a nation and a destination. Our natural environments are beautiful and pristine, and our people are open and friendly. We’re a great place to visit.”

Attending TRENZ is a whirlwind of activity for Mr. Cossar. “It’s always interesting,” he explains. “Running into tourism mates that I haven’t seen in a while is always a pleasure. It’s a full on, intense week – one that I look forward to.” He adds laughing, “The only things that I dread about the week are the lack of sleep and the hangover after the last evening’s gala!”

Stay a little bit longer!

Posted by Ruth Atherley on June 7, 2009 at 11:59 pm

Everyone everywhere that is involved in the New Zealand tourism industry knows Tourism New Zealand’s Chief Executive, George Hickton. In 1999, Mr. Hickton was appointed Chief Executive of the New Zealand Tourism Board, to develop and launch a global marketing strategy. He repositioned the organization as Tourism New Zealand and launched the 100% Pure New Zealand campaign. During the past decade, tourism growth to New Zealand has increased dramatically and it is now New Zealand’s largest single export industry.

I had the opportunity to chat with Mr. Hickton recently as he headed out from New Zealand to meetings in North America. We talked about a range of things from the challenges in the tourism industry created by the current economic climate to TRENZ to what activities he would recommend for visitors to New Zealand.

As for the current economic challenges, Mr. Hickton responds with the world famous Kiwi combination of realist and optimist: “We are definitely facing challenges,” he says. “However, when you look at the value of our dollar, there are great deals to be had. You get more for your money and some of the airfares are very well-priced.”

As for TRENZ, Mr. Hickton sees is it as a big opportunity for people to connect. “It’s an important event for tourism operators in New Zealand, as well as for buyers and media. They get to spend some time seeing what kinds of things are going on in New Zealand. We always hear such positive feedback about TRENZ. The tourism operators get to showcase what they offer and our attendees and media get the information they need to really describe New Zealand and everything we offer as a destination.”

No conversation with a Kiwi would be complete without asking for some insight on what people should do while in New Zealand. Here, Mr. Hickton is ready for me: “First thing they should do is stay longer with us,” he laughs. “What I hear again and again from people is ‘I had no idea how incredible it would be, I wish I had another week or month to spend here!’ We’d love to have visitors stay longer.”

As for specific things to do, there’s a lot to choose from according to the Chief Executive. “We’re a perfect place for the interactive traveller. You can go on a great tramp [NZ word for hike] for a day and then stay at a five-star resort at night. You can heli-hike, jet boat or go on a wine tour. For a small country, there is a lot to do.”

And what does he do when not travelling the world promoting New Zealand? “It depends what day it is,” Hickton laughs. “But I am always happy when my feet hit the ground and I am back in New Zealand.”

The Life Back Promise

Posted by Ruth Atherley on June 2, 2009 at 8:00 am

Tourism New Zealand has, what I think is, a pretty great campaign called the The Life Back Promise. And, full disclosure here, I own a small communications agency that is a part of the team that does the PR for Canada for Tourism New Zealand. However, we’ve built our company (and I’ve built my life) on being authentic…if I didn’t believe this, I wouldn’t write it.

In the time I have spent here in New Zealand (which at the time of writing this is only three days…boy, I’ve done a lot!), I think that’s what is happening to me. I would say slowly but surely—but having been here only 72 hours, it’s more like on warp speed—my mind is waking up to some pretty important things about life. On some level, every person I have met here has shared something special with me. From the young kid who served me my Fergburger and wanted to make sure I was happy with it, to Fraser who made sure I could get some photos on the Kawarau jetboat, to my spa experience and being made to feel at home by John at the Queenstown Park Hotel…it all matters. They all bring a passion to the work that they do because they have chosen a lifestyle. To work at something they love, that they care about, that they want to share. And let’s face it, no one is happy with his or her job all the time, but these folks have made a choice to do the best they can – all the time. And that shows.  Their approach to enjoying life and living in the moment spills through from their personal life to their professional work and it makes a huge difference.

Two of the people that have really stood out to me so far on my journey are Franny at Nomad Safaris and Dave of The Helicopter Line. Franny is a character – someone should make a movie about her (and I only heard bits and pieces of her life!). She brings a passion for nature to her work that is so authentic and incredible that you can’t help but be energized about it. She really likes people, and you can see that. She made the trip I took amazing. It would have been great no matter who was the guide, but Franny kicked it up about five notches and made it memorable. Her sense of adventure, her love of nature and her positive attitude about life really touched me – and I hope a bit of it rubbed off on me. Every once in a while, someone comes along that positively impacts you, that shifts you a little bit into a better place, a better mindset and pushes you to really appreciate the moment. Franny did that for me.

Dave the pilot is another incredible human being. Ten years ago, Dave came to Queensland on vacation. He was a business executive in Australia. He was making great money, had a nice family and all the toys. By all standard accounts, he had “made it.”  Well, Dave hit Queenstown, took a helicopter tour and life changed for him. He saw the life he wanted. (And he should thank his lucky stars his wife saw the same life!) Dave is now a helicopter pilot for the same company that took him up on his holiday ten years ago.

Dave and I chatted on the way to my helicopter tour and he too rubbed off on me. He LOVES his job, he loves sharing the passion he has for what he does with people (although he wouldn’t let me fly the helicopter no matter how many times I asked!) and he loves taking people out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary. Dave took a huge leap of faith and changed his life, and now he is living his dream. How amazing is that? 

It’s easy to read a travel blog like this, look at the pictures and think about what activities you will do. But there’s more to coming to somewhere like New Zealand. It’s what this kind of trip does to inspire and engage you, how the people move you and put you in touch with parts of you that you forgot about because of work and “real life” responsibilities.

For me, actually jumping off the platform on the bungy tower showed me something about myself. Standing on top of a mountain with Dave, a person who was fortunate enough to recognize what he wanted to do and then took the steps to achieve it, was inspiring. To spend time with Franny, who stepped lightly into a forest to show me a small (and I mean tiny) little plant that will someday grow into a tall, strong tree was amazing.

Travelling to New Zealand is more than just “seeing” the sights and tasting the food, it’s about taking it all in. Really experiencing it, living in the moment and—at whatever level works for you—getting your life back.

I will bring you lots of information here on what you can do in New Zealand, but please read between the lines. It’s not just what you will do here, it’s what you will experience that is so magical.  

Arriving in Auckland

Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 31, 2009 at 6:00 pm

I arrived in Auckland at about 6 a.m. (local time) and was pleasantly surprised to find a very nice gentleman (Chris Bredsen of Private Transfer & Tours Ltd.) waiting for me. Not only did Chris help me get my bags, he also assisted me in finding an electrical adapter. (New Zealand plugs are a little different than the ones we have in North America and I definitely need electricity for my blogging/Twitter adventure here!) He waited patiently while I rented a phone and he helped me store one of my suitcases (the one with the grown-up clothes in it for my meetings with the Tourism New Zealand team and to wear at TRENZ.)

He then took me on an excellent driving tour of Auckland. It was very informative and I learned a bit about both the present day and history of the city.

There is quite a bit of construction going on in Auckland because of the upcoming 2011 Rugby World Cup. Rugby is a big deal here. Even flying into Auckland, the only time the pilot came on the sound system to speak was to update passengers on the score of a game. He swore it was due to “passenger demand,” but I could hear the passion in his voice as he updated us.

Every time I am in Auckland, I am struck by the beauty of this city (see Flickr photos).  It has many similarities to Vancouver – being on the ocean, with mountains and an exciting food and wine scene. It is such a lovely city and it’s clean and friendly. There is something quite special here and while I am looking forward to spending time on the South Island, I am also excited about coming back to Auckland next week and discovering more of it.