November 2023 - Funded by the Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment, and contracted directly to MBIE, Business South Inc established a team of three to roll out support for applicants of the $54m Innovation Programme for Tourism Recovery. Support was for two funds; Discovery $10k - $25k, and Development $100k - $10m. Guidance included application support and business plan development support. Tourism Partners were the tourism specialist sub-contractor for delivery of this support.
September 2022 - Funded by the Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment and contracted through the Queenstown Lakes District Council as the lead agency, the Otago Chamber of Commerce / Business South Inc established a team of 10 to roll out the Tourism Communities Fund. This support was for five specific regions most impacted by lack of international tourism / closed borders due to COVID-19. $26m was allocated across Queenstown & Wanaka. Tourism Partners were the tourism specialist sub-contractor for delivery of this support.
December 2021 - Funded by NZTE and Callaghan Innovation, the Regional Business Partners Network is delivered by the Otago Chamber of Commerce. During COVID-19, the Otago RBP Team have delivered advice and support to over 1500 businesses and allocated over $3.4 million of funding for businesses to access advice and support. Tourism Partners were the tourism specialist sub-contractor for delivery of this support. More here.
June 2020 - New Zealand Golf Industry Council webinar. I was recently asked to share some thoughts with the NZ Golf industry. Since 2013 I’ve been involved in promoting golf tourism to New Zealand, initially for Destination Queenstown, then through Tourism New Zealand’s premium strategy, and since 2016 for Cape Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs. Below I touch on opening select Asian borders, health and wellness through golf as a marketing opportunity and more.
May 2020 - Partner videos. Rather than 're-imagine, pivot & reset’, what if we communicate & deliver 'authenticity, integrity, connection, conservation & history?’ Perhaps our tourism future already lies in heartland NZ? Welcome Rock Trails, 55mins south of Queenstown, is where 4th generation farmer Tom and wife Katie welcome guests to their 2,000-hectare High Country Station. Welcome Rock includes 1000ha of Nationally Protected Ecological Area & holds a Class One Heritage NZ Order. Guests are treated to 27kms of hand-built hiking & biking trails, authentic accommodation & farm tours with Tom himself. Oh, and there’s a reason Welcome Rock is home to the Revenant Ultra Adventure Run, a 190km / 16,000m of vertical race that very few if any competitors finish – Best you check out their video to learn why.
April 2020 - Partner videos. COVID-19 will undoubtedly influence stress in all of us, but what if we could limit the effects (headaches, neck & back pain, anxiety, fatigue, poor sleep etc) through breathing? Emma Ferris from The Breath Effect is ‘on a mission to teach the world to breath better’. As we look to the future of tourism could the answer lie in idyllic rural communities like Glenorchy? Emma’s speaking, coaching & retreats have broad sector appeal (C&I, sport & wellness).
April 2020 - Partner videos. If you’re serious about imagining the future of NZ tourism, then you’ll watch all 12mins. With our move to Level 3, it’s timely to share one of tourisms recent success stories. Real County Farm Experience in Kingston, just 40mins south of Queenstown is perfectly positioned to capitalise on the domestic market. Located on a major touring route, with experiences that suit all ages & budgets. Authentic farm tourism, personal, memorable & enriching.
April 2020 - Partner videos. We’re continuing to share some great partner content over lock-down. This week Millbrook Resort, Queenstown. As we move toward life post lock-down and encourage localised, authentic and sustainable tourism, Millbrook are well placed with Millbrook Experiences. Their on-property walking tours are a perfect example showcasing the history and heritage of Mill Farm, the kitchen garden and summer orchard, through to the world class resort and lifestyle offering that it is today.
April 2020 - Partner videos. Over lock-down we’re continuing to share partner content. This week Queenstown Expeditions, an industry leader & class act delivering professional sightseeing. Their new MAN all-terrain vehicles are fitted with leather seats, glass roof, Wi-Fi & quality GPS commentary for storytelling in English, Mandarin & Spanish.
April 2020 - Partner videos. Due to the near global shut down from COVID-19, we’re continuing to share some neat partner content. This week Alpine Luxury Tours who ensure your clients experience New Zealand in ways no-one else can. Alpine Luxury Tours have achieved near vertical growth in recent years due to incredibly prompt service and itinerary flexibility.
March 2020 - Partner videos. Due to the near global shut down from COVID-19, we’d like to share some neat partner content. First up World Top 100 regulars, Kauri Cliffs Golf Course & Cape Kidnappers Golf Course. Video credit, Jacob Sjoman.
March 2020 - Partner related premium travel seller meetings in Hong Kong - Video update on Coronavirus COVID-19.
October 2019 - Partner related attendance at IGTM International Golf Travel Market in Marrakech, Morocco.
IGTM is the pinnacle of global golf travel trade events. The quality of buyers is second to none. With over 44 scheduled appointments and well over 16 impromptu appointments prior to the start and at the end of each day our three days at IGTM were busy. Enquiries related to couples and groups, tournaments to golf travel around major events like the Americas Cup.
September 2019 - Partner Cape Kidnapers Golf Course appears on the Erik Anders Lang Show
Welcome Stuart Kerr the 59th member of the Cape Kidnappers Hole in One Club. Filming as part of the Erik Anders Lang Show, Stu aced at Cape Kidnappers to become only the 59th person ever to do so. Having worked with Jon McCord and the Cape Kidnappers & Kauri Cliffs Golf Teams for the past near 4 years has been nothing short of superb. Stu’s hole in one at 14.30 here
September 2019 - Partner Laura Douglas of Real Country appears on TVNZ’s Sunday.
We’ve worked with Laura since she first set up shop, initially working through Tourism360 tourism business development program, focusing on scalability initiatives and partner contracts, and more recently advising on best practice and bringing in suitable advisors to further strengthen and protect her superb offering. View Laura and Real Country on Sunday here.
September 2019 - Premium travel trade meetings and new agent sourcing in Shanghai and Beijing.
Multiple factors are influencing current statistics, however China remains a colossal market with infinite potential for the New Zealand luxury travel industry. This week I met with new agents in Shanghai and Beijing to further develop premium travel seller partnerships for partners back home.
September 2019 - Partner related premium golf travel trade meetings in Auckland.
A key theme from this work was person to person relationships convert business. From new itineraries to new tournaments, new international markets to new partnerships. It’s awesome to see the development of New Zealand’s inbound golf tour operators. A sincere thanks for their ongoing efforts and support.
August 2019 - Premium travel trade meetings and new agent sourcing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
With superb connectivity via the UAE & SEA to NZ, no visa requirements and a lengthy travel period that falls in our winter season. Saudi Arabia offers a young high value visitor that many premium New Zealand destinations and tourism suppliers aspire to attract.
August 2019 - Partner related premium activity travel trade meetings in Dubai.
An exceptional partner and I had a dream run of premium travel trade meetings in Dubai over several days. A key theme of past weeks is despite what you may read or hear of economic conditions, there is always opportunity in market.
August 2019 - Partner related premium accommodation travel trade meetings in Hong Kong & Singapore.
With the global environment now firmly in a period of uncertainty, regular travel to market provides the most up to date situational understanding. Premium opportunity remains in Hong Kong as residents look to escape the heat of summer, and in Singapore agents are reframing the New Zealand experience for their clients and the itinerary concepts are fresh and exciting.
August 2019 - Partner related premium golf travel trade meetings in Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane.
It’s been neat to see the evolution of Australian outbound golf tour operators over the last 10years. From one man bands & small family businesses to seriously viable companies who are all now assessing next stages of development. Congrats and thanks for your support of golf tourism to New Zealand.
June 2019 - Partner related premium golf travel trade meetings in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Shanghai.
As global markets enter a period of uncertainty, a balanced portfolio of source markets is a responsible approach to weather any negative fluctuations. China’s slowing growth has been confused with recession, yet there are 10+ direct flights per day to New Zealand in peak season. By targeting premium in-market partners in the East we offset any possible decline from the West.
May 2019 - Cape Kidnappers Golf Course hosts Mercedes-Benz 30th Anniversary Golf Tournament.
Tourism Partners have provided international business development and advisory services to Cape Kidnappers and Kauri Cliffs Golf Courses since February 2016. Enticing the Tournament Organiser to bring this superb event to Cape Kidnappers Golf Course has been a key project for several years (Please click on image for full story).
April 2019 - Partner related premium activity travel trade meetings in Hong Kong and Singapore.
As premium trade channels in Asia develop and knowledge of New Zealand’s offering improves we are introducing premium experience and activity operators to in-market contacts. We are pleased to report strong interest in experiences and activities to complement existing awareness of New Zealand luxury accommodation offering.
February 2019 - Partner related premium activity travel trade meetings in Guangzhou and Shanghai.
Amid media chatter in New Zealand around the China - NZ relationship, we headed to Guangzhou and Shanghai for a week of sales calls visiting key Chinese Travel Trade. Agents included PKP participants, OTA's, Premium and Wholesale. Our experience is the China - NZ Travel Trade relationship continues to go from strength to strength. We look forward to returning later this year to further develop relationships for our partners.
February 2019 - NZ Tourism Industry urged to breath, and not make assumptions or connect unrelated events. NZ Herald.
Ben Chapman's Tourism Partners provides business development services to tourism businesses pushing into the China market and is going there next week. ''I expect very little talk about all this". He said not too much could be read into the abrupt pull-out from the launch ceremony of Year of Tourism. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12204147
January 2019 - Tourism Partners asked for thoughts on the China New Zealand Year Of Tourism 2019.
“Increasing affluence, media influence and travel enabled by mobile technology, coupled with the improved English language of Chinese visitors, will provide them with more confidence to explore”.
Having travelled to China regularly for the past 10 years, Ben Chapman was asked for his views on the China New Zealand Year Of Tourism 2019. https://www.cnzyot.govt.nz/about/news/insights-ben-chapman-tourism-partners-ltd/
October 2018 - The Farm at Cape Kidnappers awarded No.1 Resort in Australia and the South Pacific.
Condé Nast Traveller awarded New Zealand's The Farm at Cape Kidnappers the No.1 Resort in Australia and the South Pacific in its Readers Choice Awards. Tourism Partners have represented The Robertson Lodges (The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs and Matakauri Lodge) in Asia and the Middle East since February 2016. Visit www.robertsonlodges.com
August 2018 - Premium travel trade meetings and new agent sourcing in Shanghai.
Having just returned from Shanghai we are happy to report agent knowledge of New Zealand premium accommodation and activities is the best we have experienced in four years. During this visit we met with some of the best luxury agencies in China.
June 2018 - Real Country features in North & South.
Awesome article in North & South on Laura Douglas of Real Country (dist. 24,000). Together we worked through Tourism360 and identified a number of strategic initiatives that Laura has now actioned. Visit Real Country at www.realcountry.co.nz
May 2018 - Queenstown Expeditions launches at TRENZ 2018.
Queenstown Expeditions showcased their stunning new custom 4WD to 150 international travel trade at TRENZ. Through Tourism360 we identified opportunities to surprise & delight guests, and specific agents to take this offering successfully to market. If seeking professional sightseeing for your clients with documentary quality commentary in English, Mandarin or Spanish please visit Queenstown Expeditions at www.queenstownexpeditions.com
May 2018 - Welcome Rock Trails features in Farmlands 'The Farmlander'.
Nice targeted domestic media win for one of our Tourism360 clients Welcome Rock Trails. Front cover, and 6 page spread in the Farmlands Farmlander (dist. 64,000). Visit Welcome Rock Trails at www.welcomerock.co.nz
May 2018 - Premium travel trade event attendance at ILTM Asia Pacific 2018 (Singapore).
Representing the Robertson Lodges at ILTM Asia Pacific 2018.
New Zealand stand featuring Robertson Lodges Matakauri Lodge.
Meetings were conducted with over 60 international buyers.
A slice of New Zealand luxury showcased in Singapore.
New Zealand’s premium offering was on show in Singapore last month at the inaugural International Luxury Travel Mart (ILTM) Asia Pacific 2018.
Eight New Zealand operators exhibited at the trade show alongside Tourism New Zealand, including Air New Zealand, Luxury Lodges of New Zealand, Robertson Lodges, XperieNZ, Brook Serene, Over The Top Helicopter Company, SKYCITY Grand Hotel, and Touch of Spice.
Tourism New Zealand’s Regional Manager South and South East Asia, Steven Dixon says the show was an excellent opportunity to showcase New Zealand’s premium offering to the people who can influence where high net worth travellers go on holiday.
“Over 500 luxury travel buyers from across Asia-Pacific were exposed to New Zealand’s premium offering at the event, including buyers from two of our key markets, Singapore and Hong Kong.
"This region has the fastest growing wealth rate in the world. Singapore has the highest concentration of high net worth households, above 15 per cent, and Hong Kong has the fourth highest, so naturally we want our luxury offering to be front of mind and ILTM is a great platform to make this happen.”
The New Zealand exhibitors conducted over 450 meetings with buyers and networked with many more during the three day event.
Robertson Lodges’ Chief Operating Officer, Euan Taylor says they found the luxury trade show extremely useful for building relationships with key buyers in the Asia-Pacific region.
“The trade show allowed us to interact with current and prospective clients in an environment where we knew the buyers were some of the best in the world.
“Next time we are in the market we will be able to further develop these new relationships with an aim to convert them into clients.”
Following ILTM Asia Pacific Tourism New Zealand brought four luxury travel buyers to New Zealand to experience first-hand what the country has to offer high net worth travellers.
The buyers from Singapore and Hong Kong were introduced to Auckland, Napier, Christchurch, Queenstown and Wanaka’s luxury offerings during the five day familiarisation trip.
“As a result of their visit we now have a group of engaged agents who are equipped with the knowledge and capability to sell New Zealand as a premium destination and we will continue to support them going forwards,” says Steven.
April 2018 - Partner related sales calls in Guangzhou and Beijing.
Tourism Partners hosted client sales mission to China (Guangzhou and Beijing). This premium golf travel trade focused trip met with some of the biggest names in Chinese outbound golf agencies. Key partner, media (TV and online) and private club meetings were also held.
