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NTIA18 WINNERS: Working with Agents wins Tourism NZ 'Best Tourist Office Int'l', again

When it comes to working with Travel Agents, Tourism New Zealand says it's "crucial" to the board's success as almost HALF of all Australians travelling to New Zealand will book through a consultant.

When it comes to working with Travel Agents, Tourism New Zealand says it’s “crucial” to the board’s success as almost HALF of all Australians travelling to New Zealand will book through a consultant.

It’s also this close relationship with Agents that Tourism New Zealand says helped secure their second consecutive win of ‘Best Tourist Office International’ in the 2018 National Travel Industry Awards (NTIAs).

CONGRATULATIONS ???

Haven’t seen the full list of winners yet? Click here.

René de Monchy, Tourism New Zealand’s Director Commercial, told KARRYON that relationships with Travel Agents are a top priority for the tourism board, as is ensuring all visitors have a “meaningful and authentic manaakitanga (hospitable)” stay.

He continued, saying that having consultants recognise their effort by awarding them ‘Best Tourist Office Int’l’ just makes the board all-the-more excited about upcoming trade projects.

Read on for more of what René had to say:

 

What does being recognised by the industry in this way mean to you?

We are honoured to have been awarded the Best Tourist Office International for the second year running. We work closely with travel agents and having them recognise our efforts with this award is fantastic. Their work is crucial to our success with almost half of all Australian travellers to New Zealand booking through a Travel Agent.

 

What are some little or big touches you and the team make to ensure you leave a positive impression on Agents/clients?

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When hosting the industry or visitors, our team embody meaningful and authentic manaakitanga, loosely translated it means hospitality and it sums up the act of welcoming and sharing, and enables visitors to arrive as strangers, but leave as whānau (family).

 

What are some changes the brand has made over the last year that would have contributed to your success this year?

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We set out to achieve big things and with a huge roadshow, campaign training events, and our 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist Famil that took over 100 Agents to New Zealand.

As a result, we are incredibly proud to have doubled our number of qualified 100% Pure New Zealand Specialists. Now, we are looking forward to growing the number of New Zealand Ambassadors in Australia over the next 12 months, and we have some exciting projects coming up, that we can’t wait to share with the industry!

 

What would you recommend to other brands hoping to win in future years?

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Image: Paula May/Unsplash

Tourism New Zealand staff are extremely proud and passionate of the work they do to showcase New Zealand. That passion shines through in the interaction we have with the industry and Agents we work with no doubt was a factor in the team taking out this award.

 

How important is your organisation to the industry?

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Tourism New Zealand is the face of New Zealand as a destination, and our staff embody the warm and welcoming culture that New Zealand is renowned for. In the Australian industry, we pride ourselves on representing New Zealand and being the first point of contact and reference to Australian consumers and trade.

 

What do you love about the industry?

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Image: Paula May/Unsplash

Travel industry people are passionate and energetic about travel and what they are contributing; it’s an exciting and unique industry to work in as everyone you interact with really cares about their destination or product.

 

What do you think the future holds for the travel industry?

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Image: Andres Iga/Unsplash

With almost half of all travellers to New Zealand booking through a travel agent, trade is an essential component of the consumer journey.

The way that trade interacts with consumers will alter as the preferences of the market evolve, and as technology changes and as more destinations become more accessible. It’s an exciting time to be in the industry.

 

What’s your advice for people thinking of joining the industry?

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Image: Dan Freeman/Unsplash

The tourism industry is about people and organisations working together to achieve great things. Excellent relationship building and being a people person is key to creating partnerships and work that result in successful activity.

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READ: Congratulations to all the NTIA winners – find out who they are!

READ: Qantas & Air New Zealand’s joint flights go on sale

READ: Lodge Review – Mahu Whenua, Wanaka, New Zealand

Join us in congratulating Tourism New Zealand on a job well done. CONGRATULATIONS.