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20 May 2009
Dear ,
trading as
H1N1 Influenza outbreak ....
 The
H1N1 Influenza outbreak is having an impact on many TAANZ members,
particularly those with an inbound operation. New Zealand has received
over 3,000 passenger cancellations, mainly from Japan in the education
market but also from some leisure groups and other Asian markets. Reports
of cancellations outbound from New Zealand remain relatively minor.
For the latest information on the outbreak here in New Zealand please
continue to monitor the Tourism Industry Association website which has links to
all the various government updates.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade regularly updates
official travel advisories to let you know what's happening in the world's
hot spots. Make sure you check www.safetravel.co.nz
and provide your customers with this web site address for them to check
regularly.
TAANZ continues to work with the Tourism Industry Association, Tourism NZ,
the Ministry of Tourism and other government agencies on this issue.
Membership update....
As mentioned in our 31 March E-Newsletter, TAANZ now
provides its members with a regular update of changes to membership.
The second review includes all changes from 11 March to
1 May 2009 - click to download the Directory
Update 2009/2 - May 2009.
The first Review covered all changes since the annual TAANZ Directory was
published in December 2008 until March 2009 - click to download the Directory
Update 2009/1 - March 2009.
Both reveiws indicate a reduction in travel agency
offices due to current economic conditions with a net reduction in eleven
offices so far this year.
New strategic training plan for travel sector ...
 The
Strategic Training Plan – Travel Sector 2009 - 2015 released this week
proposes a wider, more comprehensive workforce development approach to
attract and train people in the Travel industry.
Recommendations focus on improving the way the travel sector attracts,
screens, recruits, develops, and recognises people, and how it quality
assures education and training.
“Overall, the strategy is designed to help the travel industry get the
right people at the right time, with the right skills in the right place,
contributing to productive, sustainable businesses,” explains Elizabeth
Valentine, Chief Executive of the Aviation, Tourism and Travel Training
Organisation (ATTTO).
The strategy was developed by ATTTO in conjunction with
TAANZ and NZITT.
Read the full media release and access the full report.
Outbound numbers continue to fall ...
The April international visitor departure numbers are out
tomorrow (21 May) which will make interesting reading. As always it is
never that useful to compare changes with the previous year because of the
'Easter effect' - the best rule is to compare the combined March/April 2009
figures with the previous year's March/April.
Latest figures released last Friday for the 4 weeks ended 3 May show
overseas departures down 4.1% over the same period last year.
Ups: Australia +3%, Cook Islands +7%, Samoa +32%, India +13%
Downs: Fiji -22%, UK -9%, US -13%, China -23%, Thailand
-11%, Canada -20%.
Trans Tasman air fare wars are obviously boosting travel to
Australia and Fiji remains out of favour with neighbouring Cook Islands and
Samoa benefiting.
TAANZ Directory Survey
...
Changes at Christchurch
Airport ...
It’s been some time in the planning, but from this Tuesday,
Christchurch Airport’s new terminal development gets underway.
The Airport would like to ensure that the travel industry is as informed as
possible about the upcoming changes at the airport.
Please see the attached
letter for detailed information about transport changes affecting
passengers from this Tuesday, and visit www.christchurchairport.co.nz
for further information about the development.
You can also contact Chelsea Halliwell on 03 353 7807 if you have any
questions.
Exclusive offer from
Telecom ...
You could be test driving the
Telecom XT Network for free for six months
Mobile phones are an essential part of our working lives, so it’s big news
when a new network comes along promising coverage in 97% of the places
where New Zealanders live and work and roaming to more than 190
destinations. We’ve heard that the Telecom XT Network can do all this – and
more.
To prove it, Telecom is putting their money where their mouth is by
offering business people like us the chance to win a free six-month test
drive, but within reason, so some rules apply (terms and conditions are on testdrive.co.nz).
If your business is chosen, Telecom will provide you with:
- a free XT mobile
phone designed specifically for business
- an XT business plan with
FREE monthly plan charges for six months
- a plan that includes 250
calling minutes per month
- plus you’ll also receive
a 240MB per month data allowance for six months
All you’ll have to do is use them to power your business.
That means you could experience the XT Mobile Network in its full glory and
see all the benefits for yourself.
And, you could win an Ultimate Small Business Pack worth $15,000 (incl GST)
As a Trade Association member you’ll also go in an exclusive draw to win an
Ultimate Small Business pack worth $15,000 (incl GST). This pack includes
12 months worth of communications and IT services for your business. All
you have to do is select 'Inbound Tour Operators Association' on the test
drive registration form, and submit your entry before 31 May.
It’s all obligation free, so register now for your test drive to go in the draw.
Good luck.
Terms and conditions for the exclusive Trade Association
draw
Best wishes from
Paul, Charlie and Madeleine - your TAANZ Team
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