ITC Industry News Bulletin #40

In NZ tourism, travel and airline news this week, the world’s longest flight is currently in the air, luxury Auckland hotel The Langham is up for sale and much more.

TOP STORIES

Visitors spending increases 31 per cent from 2014

Every week there seems to be new data depicting the exponential rise of international visitors to NZ and this week is no exception. According to a recent survey, spending by international visitors has increased by 31 per cent since 2014.

Visitors from Australia, China and the US are our largest markets, spending $2.4bn, $1.6bn and $1bn respectively.

Associate Tourism Minister Paula Bennett told Newshub that this is further evidence of tourism’s burgeoning success.

“It’s now worth $10.6bn, or nearly five percent of our GDP, and one in every eight people employed are now directly or indirectly related to tourism,” she said.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #39

In this week’s airline, travel and tourism news, Auckland Airport chief executive is confident about the future of NZ tourism, Air New Zealand reports profit increases and more.

TOP STORIES

Auckland Airport boss confident NZ can sustain tourism growth

The chief executive of Auckland Airport, Andrew Littlewood, is full of optimism about the future of New Zealand tourism. He believes with the right approach, the country can achieve further growth – providing the country finds a way to adapt to the increasing number of visitors.

“There are plenty of opportunities for this country but we will have to be receptive,” Mr Littlewood said.

He compared New Zealand’s tourism industry to that of Ireland, a country similar in size but which welcomes a lot more visitors each year.

“Ireland, which is also a small country with 4.5 million people, has 8.6 million visitors a year and I don’t think the people of Ireland think those visitors are taking over the country,” he said.

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Another ITC student scores highest marks in NZ for IATA exam

ITC tutor Steve Burke is pictured with high achiever Danielle Barham, who scored the highest marks in New Zealand for her IATA Foundation exam.

Danielle Barham is the latest ITC student to score the highest marks in New Zealand for the challenging IATA exam. She follows in the footsteps of ITC graduates Anastasiya Kolchunova and Hayley Miles, who both scored top marks in previous years.

IATA – the International Air Transport Association – is a global trade association for approximately 260 airlines. The highly regarded IATA Foundation course covers topics such as international airfare calculations, aspects of running a travel business, world geography, international rail, cruises, tours, hotels and international travel regulations. It also covers booking systems such as Amadeus and Galileo.

To score top marks in this exam – which takes three hours to complete and is marked by IATA in Montreal – is a huge achievement.

“It is fantastic that Danielle has achieved so highly in a subject which is quite tricky to learn,” says ITC’s Head of Academic Services Tessa Henwood.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #38

In this week’s airline, travel and tourism news, New Zealand is voted ‘Top Country in the World’ by Wanderlust Magazine, Kiwis are flying more than ever, Wellington is set for a huge weekend thanks to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and much more.

TOP STORIES

New Zealand wins ‘Top Country in the World’ award voted by British travellers

The people of Britain have spoken: New Zealand is the ‘Top Country in the World’ according to readers of UK travel magazine Wanderlust.

New Zealand was rated the top nation out of 168 countries and scored an overall satisfaction rating of 97 per cent. Nearly 3,000 readers voted as part of the Wanderlust Travel Awards.

Tourism New Zealand General Manager of the Americas and Europe regions, Bjoern Spreitzer, believes this award tops off a great period of growth from the UK market.

“This award isn’t the only good news from the UK as the market is currently growing strongly – in 2015 almost 86,000 visitors chose New Zealand for their holiday, up 11 per cent on the previous year,” Mr Spreitzer said.

“British visitors are valuable to the economy as their average length of stay is more than three weeks and they spend money in most regions around New Zealand,” he added.

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Introducing Aruna Crichton and Susanne Snow

The lovely Aruna (on her birthday) and Susanne, our two fantastic student services advisors based at the ITC City Campus.

Aruna and Susanne recently joined the ITC City Campus team as Student Services Advisors. They are the lovely smiling faces you’ll see at the reception desk or the bright voices you’ll hear on the phone. Both ITC graduates, they are perfectly placed to help current students. Learn more about their experience and travel dreams below.

Aruna

I have always been interested in travel and tourism and wanted to work in this exciting industry. I completed a short course with ITC while in high school and enjoyed it so much I decided to enrol in 2012!

I chose to study at ITC because it’s a friendly environment and I felt so welcome from the day I first stepped into the building. I enrolled on both the Level 3 and Level 4 courses and graduated from both. This was a really good experience for me as I got to learn new things about the industry and see places I’ve never been to. I enjoyed going on work experience with SkyJump as I got to see what it’s like to work as one of the frontline staff dealing with a lot of international tourists. I also had the opportunity to experience one of New Zealand’s major tourist destinations – Rotorua. This was a huge highlight for me.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #37

In this week’s airline, travel and tourism news, it’s all about the celebs. Taylor Swift recently gushed about NZ in an exclusive behind-the-scenes video about her music clip Out of the Woods, while Aussie celeb Megan Gale has joined forces with Tourism New Zealand to promote NZ cycle trails.

TOP STORIES

Taylor Swift endorsement a gift to NZ tourism

With more than 65 million followers on Instagram and a legion of devoted fans across the globe, Taylor Swift is one of the most influential celebrities of our time. It bodes well for New Zealand, then, when she publicly gushes about our country.

“We are in New Zealand on one of – not one of – the most beautiful beach I’ve ever been on in my life,” the star said in a video that’s recently emerged from her time filming the music video for Out of the Woods on Bethells Beach.

Tourism New Zealand marketing manager Andrew Fraser told 3 News that you can’t put a price tag on this type of exposure.

“Certainly someone of her scale, 74 million Facebook fans, choosing to come down here on holiday with her family before Christmas – money can’t buy authentic endorsement from a superstar,” Mr Fraser said.

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Six ITC graduates share their tips for success

From left to right: Tuita, Jessica, Lewis, Gemma, Mohammed and Evelin. Now leading successful careers in the tourism industry, each of these graduates share their tips for success with current ITC students.

Studying can be hard. Sometimes, you might be tempted to skip class or take a break. But, as these successful ITC graduates will tell you, it’s all worth it! When you’re feeling low on motivation, read these tips and remember: there’s an amazing career waiting for you when you graduate.

“If you feel like you have been studying for a lifetime and that graduating is so far away, keep working hard because in the end it will all be worth it. Study hard and it will pay off.”

– Jessica Adamson, Customer Service Representative, Contiki

“If you really want to do something go get it and DREAM BIG.”

– Lewis Wilson, Slide Operator, Disney World

“Study hard and aim high. Try your best in everything you do, because your future is what counts.”

– Tuita Tokareta, Customer Service Representative, 360 Discovery Cruises

“Make the most of every opportunity you are given. Even if it’s not your dream job, but if it helps you get one step closer, grab it with both hands and run with it.”

– Evelin Toala, Flight Redemption Consultant, American Express

“The best advice I could give them is to always show up to class, make sure they do the work, to put in the hard work now and it will pay off in the end. Make sure you finish all of your assessments.”

– Mohammed Alzergawi, Sales Representative, Disney

“Study seriously, put in the hours and do the work to your best standard. The travel industry is competitive and the best jobs go to those who are willing to work for them.”

– Gemma Delia, Wholesale Travel Agent, Adventure Travel

ITC Industry News Bulletin #36

In this week’s airline, travel and tourism news, Emirates has announced a new daily service between Dubai and Auckland, and newly released arrival statistics from December top off a great 2015.

TOP STORIES

Auckland Airport welcomes new Emirates non-stop Dubai-Auckland daily service

From March 2, Emirates will offer a nonstop daily flight between Dubai and Auckland – a move Auckland Airport’s general manager Norris Carter believes will inject millions of dollars into the New Zealand economy.

“This new flight will help to significantly increase the number of people travelling between New Zealand and Europe, India and of course the Middle East. It will help to further stimulate travel, trade and tourism with these important and growing markets,” Mr Carter said in a press release.

He estimates the service will contribute “an additional $125 million every year to the New Zealand economy”.

The flight is expected to be one of the longest services on the market, taking approximately 17 hours and 15 minutes.

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Learning outside the classroom: ITC students visit Te Tahawai Marae

ITC students learn how to weave flax and perform a traditional Maori song and dance at Te Tahawai Marae

A group of students from ITC’s South Auckland campus recently visited Te Tahawai Marae in Pakuranga to learn about Māori culture. The students are currently studying a cultural unit which requires them to research the many different cultures that are important to New Zealand’s tourism industry.

They were welcomed onto the marae with a traditional powhiri, followed by an engaging history lesson about the marae’s heritage. The group learned about the significance of some carvings and listened to stories that have been passed down from ancestors.

ITC tutor Cathy Alder said it was wonderful to see the students enjoy this special experience.

“As most of our students are from different parts of the world, this is sometimes their first time in a marae. This visit was a great insight into the beliefs and practices of Māori culture, as well as an insight as to how much this culture is a part of the New Zealand tourism industry,” says Cathy.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #35

In this week’s airline, travel and tourism news, Air New Zealand launches a new recruitment campaign for flight attendants, the TIA chief executive shares his thoughts on the industry and much more.

TOP STORIES

Air New Zealand’s new campaign calls for Kiwis who aspire to fly

Air New Zealand is on the lookout for new flight attendants to join its team. The airline recently launched a new recruitment video, highlighting the benefits of being a flight attendant – as told by real Air New Zealand staff.

The video is a great insight into the life of cabin crew and will no doubt inspire many aviation students to apply.

Air New Zealand’s general manager of cabin crew, Leeanne Langridge, reveals what the airline looks for in its candidates.

“We never stop pushing ourselves to find passionate, proud and dedicated flight attendants who represent our brand values, and go beyond to make a difference in our customers’ journey,” Ms Langridge said.

You can keep up-to-date with Air New Zealand’s new campaign by following the hashtag #AspireToFly on social media.

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