Technogym Australia
Technogym is the leading company in the Wellness and Fitness field all over the world. With 2,200 employees, 14 branches in Europe, U.S., South America, Asia and Australia, Technogym exports its…
read moreTwo Queenstown-based tourism operators, Totally Tourism and Altitude Tours/Black ZQN, have joined forces in a bid to ensure the industry will survive COVID-19.
Totally Tourism founder, Mark Quickfall and Altitude Tours and Black ZQN director, Nigel Hobbs are optimistic the region will be reinvigorated in the future and domestic tourism will ramp up as the threat of the Coronavirus subsides.
New Zealanders spend $23.7 billion a year on domestic tourism and the Queenstown Lakes District is well-placed to welcome Kiwis needing a holiday once the country is de-escalated to Level One on the COVID-19 alert system.
Quickfall says although the Coronavirus has presented extraordinary challenges for Queenstown, the tourism industry is resilient and many operators are coming up with creative ways to implement health and physical distancing measures to ensure the ongoing safety of visitors and the survival of local tourism businesses.
Quickfall adds “Queenstown and tourism is certainly not out for the count and many companies here are planning to reset and tailor offerings specifically to the Kiwi market.
“Tourism has been the backbone of Queenstown and New Zealand for many decades and, whilst this current crisis seems insurmountable, we have been here before; the 1987 share market crash, 1997 Asian financial crisis, 9/11, SARs and the Global Financial Crisis. All of these events challenged the town but we bounced back.”
Both Totally Tourism and Altitude Tours/Black ZQN will be investing in domestic marketing campaigns later this year to entice Kiwis to Queenstown once restrictions on recreational travel have lifted.
Hobbs notes “COVID-19 has been a major setback for us but I’m confident that we will come out of it better and stronger.
“Kiwis love to explore – as a nation we spent approximately $6.5 billion on international travel last year. Now that overseas holidays are off the cards for the time being, I think Queenstown will see an influx of domestic tourists wanting a world-class experience in their own backyard.”
New Zealanders can expect to benefit from heavily discounted rates on accommodation, activities and tours as a sweetener to visit areas such as Queenstown, Wanaka, Mount Cook, West Coast and Fiordland.
Totally Tourism’s The Helicopter Line operates scenic helicopter flights in Queenstown, Mount Cook, and at Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, heli-skiing, heli-hikes, Milford Sound Scenic Flights and Mitre Peak Cruises, while Altitude Tours and Black ZQN specialise in bespoke sightseeing tours, private charters and luxury experiences in the lower South Island.
“Our ambition is to reward New Zealanders when they come out of their bubbles with specials and incentives and give them an opportunity to experience heli-hiking on the Tasman Glacier, or land on the Franz Josef Glacier or cruise Milford Sound,” adds Quickfall. “Kiwi families that may have traditionally booked a trip to the Gold Coast will now choose to head south and this is a very heartening prospect.”
Hobbs also highlights “we are all working incredibly hard to hold on to jobs and ensure our operations get through COVID-19. What we are seeing so far from the NZ public is that there is a strong feeling of solidarity and a desire to support our country and get it moving again. When it does, we’ll be here.”
For more information on Totally Tourism go to www.totallytourism.co.nz
For more information on Black ZQN go to www.blackzqn.com
For more information on Altitude Tours go to www.altitudetours.co.nz
Image top:Totally Tourism - Challenge Rafting on the Shotover River. Credit: Andy Woods; images centre of Black Lindis South Island Exploring and Totally Tourism Glacier Helicopter tours; image above of Mark Quickfall (left) and Nigel Hobbs.
27th April 2020 - New Zealand Sports Minister advises of permissible activities under eased Coronavirus Alert
21st April 2020 - New Zealand Government looks to ease Coronavirus restrictions
23rd April 2020 - WTTC calls on G20 leaders to coordinate recovery for the tourism industry
17th April 2020 - Tourism thought leaders consider the impact of COVID-19
17th April 2020 - WTTC commends global tourism industry for helping during COVID-19
16th April 2020 - Tourism recovery vital for economies of Asia Pacific nations
27th March 2020 - Go with Tourism to provide free support service for New Zealand tourism workers and businesses
19th March 2020 - Tourism Industry Aotearoa shares concerns over business closures and job losses
18th March 2020 - Tourism Industry Aotearoa welcomes Government support but advises jobs still threatened
15th March 2020 - Coronavirus travel restrictions to impact New Zealand tourism and sport
29th February 2020 - Bay of Plenty tourism industry works to mitigate impact of visitor downturn following White Island eruption
25th November 2019 - Queenstown tourism operator celebrates 30th Anniversary
4th March 2019 - International adventure tourism experts to converge on Queenstown
19th October 2016 - Queenstown named Australasia’s leading destination
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
Technogym is the leading company in the Wellness and Fitness field all over the world. With 2,200 employees, 14 branches in Europe, U.S., South America, Asia and Australia, Technogym exports its…
read moreABOUT Again Faster is a Brisbane based, Australian owned supplier of strength and conditioning and functional fitness equipment. With nearly 10 years experience in the Australian market, we are…
read moreBH Fitness, part of the long-standing and iconic bike manufacturer BH Group, is a global leader in fitness equipment for both Commercial and Home markets. The company, with the headquarters based in…
read moreSince 2019, Active World's development team has been delivering a comprehensive single solution that caters to the diverse requirements of successfully operated and managed leisure centres. The…
read moreExerp is a global IT specialist in member management software for the fitness and leisure industry. By focusing on the needs of large enterprises, where streamlining, control and scalability are…
read morePerfect Gym Solutions is a software as a service (SaaS) solution purpose-built to service the fitness industry, with over 1000 clients servicing over two million gym members across 40 countries making…
read moreAs of the 1st July 2018, Enta Australasia Pty Ltd/Best Union has been rebranded as Vivaticket Pty Ltd. Vivaticket is the ideal strategic partner for the organisation and management of your…
read moreAbout: Momentus Technologies is a global provider of industry-leading venue and event management solutions that empower organizations to create extraordinary moments. With over 50,000 users in more…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!