NZSki Trade Easter Update - April 2010On the mountain Our Sales and Marketing department has undergone some changes and planning recently and the new look team is now known as NZSKi Creative. The Creative Team is looking to lead NZSki into becoming a world-class company in alpine recreation by developing cutting-edge ideas and campaigns. We are very open to feedback from customers, staff and partners so if you have any wild ideas send them through to [email protected] - nothing is too silly to be considered! Big-spending Aussies boost tourist spend to $6.2b
Tourists spent 4 per cent more last year even though visitor numbers were flat. Photo / Greg Bowker Ministry of Tourism figures show spending grew by $240 million or 4 per cent in 2009 even though the number of people coming to New Zealand was flat at 2.458 million - down just 121 people. Managing director Ray Salter said higher levels of spending by Australian and Chinese visitors was the main reason behind the boost. "Australians come for a shorter time but their spend here is quite good. When you start breaking it down into nights and days it's generally a good news story. Their spend has actually improved." Spending by Australians grew by 11.6 per cent to $1.8 billion, higher than the 11 per cent rise in visitor numbers. Salter said the Chinese market had also shifted from short-stay low spenders to longer-stay higher spenders, with spending growing 27 per cent to $293 million last year. Article continues below German visitors also opened up their wallets, boosting spending by 22.5 per cent to $293 million. "Overall our feeling is that we are getting a higher value visitor." But other long-haul markets did not perform as well. Spending by British visitors was down 11 per cent to $812 million and cash laid out by Americans fell 3.2 per cent to $597 million. Salter said the total spend had far outweighed expectations. Some had predicted a fall of 10 per cent last year, while the ministry had thought it would be down 4 per cent. "The Australian figure just went beyond everybody's expectations." Salter expected spending by long-haul visitors to recover this year but said it could be a challenge to maintain the Australian growth. "We do have a feeling that Australians might revert to more long-haul activity." But he said he expected to revise forecasts for this year upwards in the next few weeks. New Zealand A Winner for British Travellers Tuesday October 20 02:44 PM New Zealand has turned in a winning performance in the UK, being voted favourite long-haul country by readers of the Guardian, the Observer and guardian.co.uk. At the annual Reader's Travel Awards announced recently, New Zealand beat Cambodia, Chile, Vietnam and Japan to take the top spot. Air New Zealand was named second-favourite long-haul carrier after Singapore Airlines. Media release from NZSki 2 September 2009 Spring starts with supreme snowfall
Powder hounds are ripping up the seven day snowfall of 62cm at Coronet Peak and 69cm at The Remarkables and looking at September historically more snow can be expected through the month. David Ovendale, NZSki's General Manager Sales & Marketing said the latest snowfall has set the ski areas up perfectly for spring. "There could not be a better time to come for a quick ski fix - it's affordable, the conditions are fantastic and we can offer something for everyone," he said. Several packages are available including a family package starting from just $76 per person per day consisting of lift passes and accommodation (based on 2 adults and 2 youth). Other spring packages include adult rates as low as $85 per person per day and, for those who would love to combine skiing and golf in the same holiday, there's a dream package starting from just $125 per person per day including rounds at some of New Zealand's premier courses. Spring is a perfect time to discover skiing and riding at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables as it brings a combination of sunshine, freshly-groomed trails, relaxing on the sun decks, and plenty of family-friendly fun to be had. The packages are on offer for stays between 1 - 30 th September 2009, and terms and conditions apply. For more information on packages on offer, please visit www.nzski.com . Ends Photo caption: Nicole and Brie Hawley from Bundaberg, Australia, enjoy the snow at Coronet Peak today, credit Greg Whitbrook For more information, www.nzski.com or contact David Ovendale on 027 431 7070 Media release from The Remarkables 6 August 2009 Freeskier action at The Remarkables The biggest freeski event to be hosted in the Southern Hemisphere this season will bring international names to Queenstown as The Remarkables hosts The North Face Big Mountain qualifiers on August 12. As part of the fifth annual Volkl NZ Freeski Open, competitors in the North Face Big Mountain Open will wow spectators as they test their limits in steep alpine terrain. The Remarkables Ski Area Manager Ross Lawrence said he was looking forward to welcoming athletes from the international freeski circuit. "The Remarkables is home to some amazing big mountain terrain," he said. There will be heaps of opportunities for freeskiers to push their limits." The Volkl NZ Freeski Open covers three major freeski disciplines: Slopestyle, Halfpipe and Big Mountain. The Big Mountain qualifiers take place at The Remarkables (August 12) with big mountain finals at Treble Cone (August 14). Slopestyle and Halfpipe events will be held at Cardrona on August 17 and 19 respectively, before the three-day North Face Sessions, where winners of the Volkl Freeski Open will be taken by helicopter for further freeski sessions in the backcountry. Prizes for each event include $4000, $1600 and $800 for first, second and third place in the men's competitions, and $1800, $800 and $400 respectively in the women's events. A $100 prize is also offered at each event for the NZ Bolle Young Gun Award. A public screening of highlights from the Volkl NZ Freeski Open will take place at Cinema Paradiso, Wanaka on August 20 for $15. Registration is open until August 5, after which a $20 late fee applies. Ends For more information, www.nzski.com or contact Ross Lawrence on 027 555 6698 Media release from Coronet Peak Opening hours extended at Coronet Peak Early birds and night owls alike are waxing their skis and boards as Coronet Peak gears up for extended opening hours from tomorrow (Friday July 3). Skiers and riders can enjoy the slopes late into the evening every Friday and Saturday night from July 3 until mid-September (conditions permitting), a tradition which has operated for over twenty years. The M1, Shirtfront, Big Easy trails and a Magic Carpet are all fully floodlit, allowing skiers and riders of all levels to experience the slopes under the stars until 9pm. Ski Area Manager Hamish McCrostie said Night Skiing was a magical experience and always created a buzz and atmosphere of its own. "Locals enjoy Night Skiing because it allows them to spend more time on the slopes with friends and family after school or work," he said. "Visitors and holiday-makers just love the whole Night Skiing experience with DJs and hot mulled wine on the deck and sparkling views over Queenstown." Coronet Peak's restaurant and bar are both open until 9pm, serving a range of beverages as well as hot meals, with frequent live music on the mountain. From Monday July 6, the Coronet Express chairlift will also be open for early birds to enjoy First Tracks from 8am - an hour before the lifts 'officially' open at 9am. "First Tracks is always popular with those keen to ski or ride before work and early risers who look to share the fresh powder and groomed corduroy trails with only a handful of others," said Mr McCrostie. "The restaurant is open for breakfast from 7.30am, so anyone can catch a hot meal or cup of coffee, before hitting the slopes ahead of the crowds." Night Skiing lift passes from 4-9pm cost $48 for adults, while Twilight lift passes allowing access from 12.30pm-9pm cost $93 for adults. An adult Sightseeing lift pass costs only $15. Day Lift Passes with First Tracks cost $128 per adult, or $35 as an add-on for season pass holders. Operation for both First Tracks and Night Skiing is dependent on weather conditions. For more info contact Pounamu Apartments at [email protected] Winter Games gets $1million government funding PM and Tourism Minister John Key has announced that government is to invest $1 million in this year’s inaugural Winter Games. The event, which will be the Southern Hemisphere’s largest winter sports event, will be held at several venues around the Otago region next month. The event will be known as the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games, in line with Tourism New Zealand’s successful international brand. Feature The biennial games will take place at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona, Snow Farm, Naseby and Dunedin from August 21-30. It will feature alpine skiing, free skiing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and demonstration sports. “The tourism spin-offs in terms of visitor numbers and spending will be signifi cant. “This event will showcase some of our most spectacular scenery and we believe the benefi ts will extend well beyond the Otago region.” The event will put New Zealand’s (over) Friday, June 26. 2009 Inaugural Winter Games given $1 million boost Prime Minister and Tourism Minister, John Key has today announced that the Government will invest $1 million in this year’s inaugural Winter Games. The event, which will be the Southern Hemisphere’s largest winter sports event, will be held at several venues around the Otago region in August. The event will be known as the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games, in line with Tourism New Zealand’s successful international brand. The biennial games will take place at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona, Snow Farm, Naseby and Dunedin from 21-30 August. It will feature alpine skiing, free skiing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and demonstration sports. “We are serious about attracting and developing world class events. This is a great example of an exciting, home-grown event with huge potential. “The tourism spin-offs in terms of visitor numbers and spending will be significant. “This event will showcase some of our most spectacular scenery and we believe the benefits will extend well beyond the Otago region”. The event will put New Zealand’s pristine winter landscape on 350 million television screens around the world and attract 800 of the world’s elite winter sports athletes, many of whom will go on to the Winter Olympics. It is expected to generate $50 million into New Zealand’s economy in the first year. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a world class events destination, and this $1 million investment from the Major Events Development Fund demonstrates this Government’s determination to see that reputation enhanced.” Air New Zealand Announces Additional Tasman Services For Queenstown Deputy CEO Norm Thompson said today at the Queenstown Winter Festival Tourism Forum that Air New Zealand was working hard to increase the number of Australian tourists it brought into the region. In particular, he said Air New Zealand hoped to capitalise on the strong demand from Queenslanders in Queenstown with the introduction of a direct summer service. "I'm pleased to announce today that we'll be trialling a weekly Brisbane-Queenstown service in peak summer months, which will operate from mid-December through to the end of January." Mr Thompson said Queenstown was arguably New Zealand's fastest-growing destination for Australian visitors, as a result of continual increases in direct services across the Tasman. "Over the peak winter season Air New Zealand now operates10 direct services a week compared to three five years ago. This year, as a result of strong demand from Queensland, we added an additional service from Brisbane taking the total from there to three per week, in addition to five services per week from Sydney and two from Melbourne." Mr Thompson said the airline intended extending its Melbourne-Queenstown schedule, which currently operates once a week in December and January, right through to the end of March. "In addition, we will continue to operate two trips per week on the Sydney-Queenstown route from mid-October to the end of November, where previously over this period there was a seasonal reduction to one trip per week. These services will operate Tuesday and Saturdays." Mr Thompson expected the schedule additions would be welcomed by the region, and illustrated Air New Zealand's confidence in the Australian market's ability to deliver solid economic returns to Queenstown. Schedules for the additional services (subject to final confirmation and regulatory approvals): Queenstown spreads message Jetstar second largest in NZ The company says its new services highlight Jetstar’s ongoing investment in the New Zealand market having also recently commenced trans Tasman operations from Auckland which, combined with its Christchurch trans Tasman services, now total 42 weekly return flights. Pacific Blue ups the ante
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4:00 AM Tuesday Feb 23, 2010 
20 - 30 centimetres of new snow landing on the first day of spring is just the icing on the cake for the spectacular spring packages now on offer at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables ski areas.
Air New Zealand today announced further additions to its Tasman schedule into and out of Queenstown, including the launch of a new weekly Brisbane-Queenstown summer service.
The mood of Queenstown’s tourism operators has noticeably improved in recent weeks - boosted by snow and the consequent bookings for ski holidays from both Australia and New Zealand. Conferences and incentives, although they tend to be short lead, are also adding to a positive outlook.
LAKE WANAKA, New Zealand (June 5, 2009) - Winter Games NZ today announced Queenstown Resort College as naming sponsor for the Big Air, the grand finale of Winter Games NZ which takes place from 21 to 30 August 2009.
The Queenstown Resort College Big Air will feature the world’s top snowboarders and freeskiers and will take place in front of the base buildings of Coronet Peak, Queenstown and thousands of spectators and a live TV audience as the last event before the closing ceremony brings the inaugural Winter Games NZ to an end.
Coronet Peak ready for exceptional opening 
