TravelManagers were among the hundreds of Aussie agents picked up and taken across the ditch for the NZ mega-famil.
Featuring over 21 different tailor-made itineraries, the “Six Days. Two Airlines. One Destination,” All-Stars famil was hosted by Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia and Tourism New Zealand and aimed to give Australian travel agents a taste of the best New Zealand has to offer.
To qualify, agents had to take an online quiz, after which 400 lucky agents from a range of states, agencies and years of experience were selected.
For Sarina Taylor, representative for Erina in New South Wales, qualifying for the famil was an opportunity to make a visit she describes as long overdue.
“This famil has been a total game changer as to how I can now sell New Zealand for many different types of travellers.”
Sarina Taylor, TravelManagers
“I got to experience many outdoor and adventurous activities, plus I experienced and inspected hotels and restaurants that I can now highly recommend to clients, that I would not have known anything about if I hadn’t participated.”
The lucky participants paid just A$200 to take part in the famil, with 21 different itineraries that focused on particular regions or interests.
For TravelManagers’ Vicki Hope, representative for Heathcote, NSW, that meant six days exploring the North Island’s Far North as part of “Team Hone Heke”.
Named for a nineteenth-century Maori chief and war leader whose exploits are legendary among Kiwis, the team had the opportunity to brush up on New Zealand’s history and experience a spine-tingling display of Maori culture during their visit to Waitangi.
According to Hope, another highlight was a visit to Waipoua Forest.
“The Footprints Night tour to see the ‘Father of the Forest’, (a Kauri tree estimated to be 4,000 years old), was completely magical.”
Vicki Hope, TravelManagers
“To be in an ancient forest at night, with 30 flashlights showing the way along a wooden boardwalk, listening to native birds including Kiwis calling in the darkness – it was amazing.”
Like Hope, Louise Gillogly, representative for Parkes, NSW, was a member of Team Hone Heke. Despite having spent time in the South Island six years previously, this was her first visit to the North Island.
“I think visiting any destination makes it so much easier to sell and clients love hearing about your personal experiences,” she said.
“I actually booked a family of six for two weeks, departing in January 2016, the day before I left for New Zealand, so I’m looking forward to passing on some of my new experiences to them!”
All of the famil itineraries commenced in Auckland with an educational workshop and welcome event before agents departed on their tailor-made itineraries.
This is the second year this mega-famil concept has operated by Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia in conjunction with Tourism New Zealand, and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.