Australians look to New Zealand for Summer Holidays

A new campaign launched in Australia on Boxing Day is helping boost interest in New Zealand as a summer holiday destination.

Visits to Tourism New Zealand’s consumer travel website, newzealand.com/travel/australia, were up 70% in the second week of January (to 27,000), compared with the same period last year.

The campaign has been strongly supported by the Australian travel trade and New Zealand industry, with 71 special deals currently available online.

Air New Zealand has also backed the campaign, with a joint television commercial and online advertising to promote its direct flights from A$219 each way.

Tourism New Zealand’s Regional Manager Australia Barry Eddington said feedback from the travel trade suggests New Zealand is currently among one of the highest selling destinations.

"Pre-Christmas we knew that around 80% of Australians planning a summer holiday were yet to book," he said. "The timing of the launch of our latest ‘What’s On’ campaign has helped put New Zealand in a strong competitive position.

"Consumers appear to be making good use of the airfare deals currently on offer and the travel trade are reporting a marked increase in late bookings since the New Year."

With visitor arrivals from other major markets forecast to be down over the next three months, Tourism New Zealand has brought forward spending in Australia in order to take advantage of the opportunities presented by this market.

The summer ‘What’s On’ campaign will run through until the end of April, with the latest campaign commercials focusing on new experiences - from indulgence to invigoration and family-friendly holidays - that can be enjoyed in New Zealand over the summer and autumn seasons.

A new commercial targeting ski and snowboard fanatics will also run later in the summer, encouraging this niche market to get in early and book their winter ski holidays to New Zealand.

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