Apologies for such a late report today – computer connection issues… The “recreation release” – when Genesis – the power company – release all the muck behind the Poutu Dam has restricted fishing together with light rain that has last arrived in Turangi. ALl our fishy inmates are over at Lake O instead.
So this is a tourism update pre-prepared for such emergencies.
This was anticipated in TRM reports – SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed manages everything around here) warned of this rip-off years ago. OTA’s (Online Travel Agencies like Booking-dot-com, etc.) would have to be the biggest advertisers every night on TV during peak hour viewing. They never let up. So you realise who is paying for this – tourist guests. That is why SWMBO always encourages TRM inmates to book directly with her.
This is important if only from an economic efficiency viewpoint to avoid over-booking or misdirected bookings by OTA’s and to pass on their commissions back to the guests in discounts. i.e. Often we get an OTA booking for 3 persons so they are allocated the cheapest studio or one bedroom unit with a double queen and single bed. So what happens when three anglers turn up? Anglers are picky like that – they don’t like sharing a double bed!. The OTA’s cannot anticipate this. Every week – even yesterday – SWMBO has to re-allocate a booking to a larger unit and cannot charge them more. This can be tricky when we are already almost fully booked – like for the rest of February. So this is another warning to BOOK DIRECT…
The article pinched from Accom News x an Australian survey reads:
Giant global online travel agencies are having a corrosive impact on accommodation businesses, according to the results of a new industry survey.
The Accommodation Association of Australia recently undertook a survey that is indicative not only of the impact to Australian hotels, but hotels around the world.
The Accommodation Association of Australia annual survey of accommodation businesses, which drew more than 400 responses, found that:
The Association’s chief executive officer, Richard Munro, said: “Our Annual Survey continues to provide an accurate snapshot of the views of operators of accommodation businesses across Australia and therefore, it is extremely helpful in determining the Accommodation Association’s priorities.
“The clearest message from this year’s survey is the damage that giant global online travel agencies are doing to accommodation businesses, many of which are small businesses which are major employers in their local communities.
“This distinctly contrasts with the likes of offshore giants Booking.com and Expedia, which are making millions of dollars each year from our industry, yet they employ very few staff in Australia.
“What’s more, most – if not all – of the profits these global behemoths are making flow straight overseas and they pay little or no tax in Australia, unlike local accommodation businesses.
“On behalf of our industry, the Accommodation Association will continue to push for major reforms to online travel agencies in 2018 which rein in their free-riding on Australia’s accommodation and tourism industries.”
“The recent changes to penalty rates have allowed important parts of accommodation businesses, such as restaurants, to trade more frequently instead of being closed due to the cost of wages being unviable for operators,” Mr Munro said.
“Any move to roll back these changes will have a direct negative impact on local jobs and services provided to visitors.”
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New Zealand’s appeal as an international holiday destination saw nearly 2 million holidaymakers visit our shores in 2017, up 7.5 percent on the previous year.
The latest data released by Stats NZ shows that 2017 total arrivals were up 6.7 percent with Australia, China and the USA remaining our biggest visitor markets.
“New Zealand continues to punch above its weight internationally as an attractive destination with growth rates that are ahead of global tourism trends,” said tourism chief executive, Stephen England-Hall.
“International visitors are spending around $40 million every day and this is delivering significant benefits to communities across New Zealand.
“Each day international visitors are spending locally as they travel across the country, buying meals and doing things like renting cars, buying petrol, visiting a museum or hiring a bike or skis. This significant local spend is helping communities grow.”
Figures show tourism is also providing significant employment – with one in seven people directly employed in the industry. The tourism sector is one of the country’s biggest employers and for some communities it is essential.
“A whopping 27 percent of employment in the Kaikoura district relies on tourism and tourism spend is now driving a number of community’s economies.”
While New Zealand is nearing the end of the traditional peak season, Tourism New Zealand is continuing to focus on shifting the seasonal profile of arrivals.
“We invest all marketing funds into promoting New Zealand holidays in the shoulder and off-peak season. We are thrilled to see this working with a combined 13.1 percent increase in spring 2016 and autumn 2017 arrivals against peak summer growth of 8.3 percent.”
Data shows that international visitors are also continuing to rate New Zealand very highly as a destination, with 94 percent saying their trip met or exceeded expectations.
“A huge part of that great experience comes down to Kiwi hospitality, manaakitanga – the reputation we have as a warm and welcoming country. Something that is only possible with the continued support of New Zealanders.
“It’s also very reliant on the industry continuing to provide a fantastic experience and one of the ways we assist with this is by sharing a range of consumer insights to help them meet the needs of visiting and grow their business.”