We’ve been encouraged by emails and calls about future travel plans (for when the time is right) and Fine Travel has continued to help clients with emergency travel needs so they can be with loved ones, or for other urgent business. We're closely following domestic and international travel developments and remain in close contact with our airline and cruise line partners.
Update on UK and Europe Travel
It's encouraging to see European countries with low Covid-19 infection rates discussing regional bubbles and planning for some level of tourist activity. Although some flights to the UK and Europe are available, the two week mandatory quarantine requirement on returning to New Zealand remains as a deterrent to travelling to those bubbles (as will the new quarantine requirement for the UK from 8 June).
We will continue to monitor special offers and government announcements as airlines and countries adapt and react.
Fine Travel's Domestic Offers
With our border measures expected to be in place for quite some time, interesting, personalised and well planned domestic itineraries will be the closest many travellers can get to replacing their international itineraries. To help our clients explore the possibilities, we've prepared a Fine Travel guide which explores the different travel styles and experience based itineraries available.
Through our specialist travel partners we have Template Self Drive Itineraries that you can explore at your leisure on our dedicated Inbound Travel website. We refer to these itineraries as "Templates" as they are customisable - the intention is to provide a starting point that can be refined (please also see our comments below on domestic prices).
Getaway Holidays
Sometimes a holiday is just about "getting away". A weekend in Wellington, a few days in Queenstown or heading to Waiheke to unwind with dinner at Mudbrick (stayover and enjoy their very special accommodation too). A flight booked with airpoints, a rental car or transfer to the hotel and that feeling of walking in, dropping your bags and flopping on the bed.
We can work with requests as simple as "can you find three nights accommodation in Queenstown for me over a weekend in July?" From there we can work with our wholesale partners and directly with the accommodation providers (and can even arrange activities while you're there).
A Word On Domestic Tourism Prices
Shortly after being encouraged to support the domestic tourism market, the almost universal response was: "I hope they bring their prices down...". We are seeing hotels and attractions respond with discounts (and we will include examples of these in our sales alerts).
In our Template Itineraries, indicative pricing is included with examples of accommodation and attractions. As pricing (and the environment generally) is so dynamic, our suppliers are working from the standard template pricing, and then obtaining revised discounted pricing as an itinerary is finalised.
Discounts at Luxury Lodges
Access to New Zealand's luxury lodge network is highly sought-after internationally, and with the absence of overseas tourists, some properties have started to release specials to encourage domestic travel. Talking with our specialist wholesale partners have seen specials from properties such as:
Split Apple Lodge
Solitaire Lodge
Otahuna
With winter approaching, and borders currently closed to warmer winter escapes, embracing winter and settling down somewhere comfortable, with an open fire, friends, family, a good book and a glass of wine may be what winter 2020 has in store.
If you are looking for a special escape, please contact us and we can investigate the latest special offers.
Progress on the Trans-Tasman Bubble
Industry rumours are circulating that the trans-Tasman Bubble will be in place by the end of June, but more realistically July. Although we welcome this optimism, Australia's State Premiers are yet to agree on opening their borders for inter-State Travel (Queensland's Premier may wait until September). We may therefore see the trans-Tasman bubble expand on a State by State basis until New South Wales and Victoria have achieved elimination too.
As Australians also have limited international travel opportunities, New Zealand travellers will need to be conscious of the pressure that this may place on bucket list trips like the Ghan rail itineraries or cruises through the Kimberley region. If you have been thinking about an Australian itinerary, and have tentative dates, please feel free to contact me and we can look into availability, special offers and cancellation terms and conditions.
Assessing "Close to Home" Cruise Promotions
The world's major cruise lines are currently only making waves on the capital markets as they raise funds to support their hibernation. Rolling cancellations of 2020 itineraries continue and their focus is now on 2021 and 2022 departures (particularly for clients who took up future cruise credit options) and of course increased health and safety obligations.
Some cruise lines and specialist wholesalers have approached us with close to home itineraries and specials onboard small luxury ships with the likes of Ponant and Coral Expeditions. Although (in ordinary times) these itineraries are appealing, and special offers are available, uncertainty remains around when cruise ships will be allowed back to New Zealand. Before committing to a cruise we think the important questions to ask are:
Does the cruise line have approval to access New Zealand's ports or is the itinerary speculative.
If the itinerary is cancelled, will deposits be refunded, or converted to a Future Cruise Credit
If full payment has been made, and the itinerary is cancelled, will a refund or a Future Cruise Credit be offered.
While many staunch cruise supporters will be eager to return to the sea, clarity around the terms under which new bookings are made are critical. We will continue to review and consider the state of the cruise industry, particularly close to home and from Australia.
25% Off Glacier and Southern Lakes Helicopter Flights
For a limited time, Queenstown's leading helicopter company is offering 25% off all flights (until 31 July). Itineraries can incorporate:
Queenstown
Milford Sounds
Middle Earth - Lord of the Rings filming sites
Personalised itineraries
You can explore the full range of itineraries on the Glacier & Southern Lakes Helicopters website and contact us to make your booking.
South Pacific Winter Escapes
Hi Gerrard
I've been encouraged by emails and calls about future travel plans (for when the time is right) and Fine Travel has continued to help clients with emergency travel needs so they can be with loved ones, or for other urgent business. We're closely following domestic and international travel developments and remain in close contact with our airline and cruise line partners.
Update on UK and Europe Travel
It's encouraging to see European countries with low Covid-19 infection rates discussing regional bubbles and planning for some level of tourist activity. Although some flights to the UK and Europe are available, the two week mandatory quarantine requirement on returning to New Zealand remains as a deterrent to travelling to those bubbles (as will the new quarantine requirement for the UK from 8 June).
We will continue to monitor special offers and government announcements as airlines and countries adapt and react.
Fine Travel's Domestic Offers
With our border measures expected to be in place for quite some time, interesting, personalised and well planned domestic itineraries will be the closest many travellers can get to replacing their international itineraries. To help our clients explore the possibilities, we've prepared a Fine Travel guide which explores the different travel styles and experience-based itineraries available.
Through our specialist travel partners we have Template Self Drive Itineraries that you can explore at your leisure on our dedicated Inbound Travel website. We refer to these itineraries as "Templates" as they are customisable - the intention is to provide a starting point that can be refined (please also see our comments below on domestic prices).
Getaway Holidays
Sometimes a holiday is just about "getting away". A weekend in Wellington, a few days in Queenstown or heading to Waiheke to unwind with dinner at Mudbrick (stayover and enjoy their very special accommodation too). A flight booked with airpoints, a rental car or transfer to the hotel and that feeling of walking in, dropping your bags and flopping on the bed.
We can work with requests as simple as "can you find three nights accommodation in Queenstown for me over a weekend in July?" From there we can work with our wholesale partners and directly with the accommodation providers (and can even arrange activities while you're there).
A Word On Domestic Tourism Prices
Shortly after being encouraged to support the domestic tourism market, the almost universal response was: "I hope they bring their prices down...". We are seeing hotels and attractions respond with discounts (and we will include examples of these in our sales alerts).
In our Template Itineraries, indicative pricing is included with examples of accommodation and attractions. As pricing (and the environment generally) is so dynamic, our suppliers are working from the standard template pricing, and then obtaining revised discounted pricing as an itinerary is finalised.
Discounts at Luxury Lodges
Access to New Zealand's luxury lodge network is highly sought-after internationally, and with the absence of overseas tourists, some properties have started to release specials to encourage domestic travel. Talking with our specialist wholesale partners have seen specials from properties such as:
Split Apple Lodge
Solitaire Lodge
Otahuna
With winter approaching, and borders currently closed to warmer winter escapes, embracing winter and settling down somewhere comfortable, with an open fire, friends, family, a good book and a glass of wine may be what winter 2020 has in store.
If you are looking for a special escape, please contact us and we can investigate the latest special offers.
Progress on the Trans-Tasman Bubble
Industry rumours are circulating that the trans-Tasman Bubble will be in place by the end of June, but more realistically July. Although we welcome this optimism, Australia's State Premiers are yet to agree on opening their borders for inter-State Travel (Queensland's Premier may wait until September). We may therefore see the trans-Tasman bubble expand on a State by State basis until New South Wales and Victoria have achieved elimination too.
As Australians also have limited international travel opportunities, New Zealand travellers will need to be conscious of the pressure that this may place on bucket list trips like the Ghan rail itineraries or cruises through the Kimberley region. If you have been thinking about an Australian itinerary, and have tentative dates, please feel free to contact me and we can look into availability, special offers and cancellation terms and conditions.
Assessing "Close to Home" Cruise Promotions
The world's major cruise lines are currently only making waves on the capital markets as they raise funds to support their hibernation. Rolling cancellations of 2020 itineraries continue and their focus is now on 2021 and 2022 departures (particularly for clients who took up future cruise credit options) and of course increased health and safety obligations.
Some cruise lines and specialist wholesalers have approached us with close to home itineraries and specials onboard small luxury ships with the likes of Ponant and Coral Expeditions. Although (in ordinary times) these itineraries are appealing, and special offers are available, uncertainty remains around when cruise ships will be allowed back to New Zealand. Before committing to a cruise we think the important questions to ask are:
Does the cruise line have approval to access New Zealand's ports or is the itinerary speculative.
If the itinerary is cancelled, will deposits be refunded, or converted to a Future Cruise Credit
If full payment has been made, and the itinerary is cancelled, will a refund or a Future Cruise Credit be offered.
While many staunch cruise supporters will be eager to return to the sea, clarity around the terms under which new bookings are made are critical. We will continue to review and consider the state of the cruise industry, particularly close to home and from Australia.
25% Off Glacier and Southern Lakes Helicopter Flights
For a limited time, Queenstown's leading helicopter company is offering 25% off all flights (until 31 July). Itineraries can incorporate:
Queenstown
Milford Sounds
Middle Earth - Lord of the Rings filming sites
Personalised itineraries
You can explore the full range of itineraries on the Glacier & Southern Lakes Helicopters website and contact us to make your booking.
South Pacific Winter Escapes
Although expanding New Zealand's travel bubble to incorporate South Pacific nations with no Covid-19 cases seems an obvious move, the concern from health care officials appears to be around the risk of New Zealand exporting cases to the Pacific and that those countries may not have the infrastructure to cope with new safe travel protocols.
In the interim, as there is likely to be strong demand from New Zealand and Australians looking for offshore winter escapes, it is worth starting to research different destinations and properties. If you'd like me to share some ideas, please let me know.
Stay well, and we look forward to hearing from you.