Top tour operators recognised by industry

19/08/10

Two of New Zealand’s top tour operators have been recognised as the best in the business by their industry peers.

 

A media release from ITOC says that Pan Pacific Travel was last night named as the inaugural Inbound Tour Operator of the Year, while InterCity Group received the ITOC Operator of the Year Award, at the annual Inbound Tour Operator Council (ITOC) awards night.

 

This is the first time the Inbound Tour Operator of the Year title has been awarded, with ITOC Allied Members nominating operators who were then judged on their innovation, marketing, business operation, communications/accessibility and payment practices.

 

Pan Pacific Travel has been operating for 25 years and builds itineraries for visitors from the UK, Europe, North and South America, China, Taiwan and South East Asia. The business operates across a range of travel styles, including customised independent travel, special interest groups and incentive travel.

 

While maintaining its traditional relationships, the company continues to look to new sources of business and improve its technology to better service clients and feed greater business through to its New Zealand suppliers.

 

Pan Pacific has proactively targeted the Asia FIT (free, independent travel) and Australian consumer markets, with its own online booking engine and interactive websites. It regularly operates tactical marketing campaigns offshore to stimulate low season travel, and aims to be approachable and highly responsive in its relationships with offshore partners and New Zealand suppliers.

InterCity Group was recognised by ITOC Full Members for the quality of its staff, products and services.

 

100% New Zealand owned, InterCity operates the largest piece of transport infrastructure in the country. From overnight cruising in the Bay of Islands, to day tours into Milford Sound, the group’s national network provides a daily capacity of more than 7000 seats and carries more than two million passengers a year.

 

InterCity focuses relentlessly on its clients’ requirements and aims to deliver an experience, not just a product.

 

It has developed a five year strategy to grow Asian markets, especially China, and is working with key partners in the Japanese market to expand tour business into destinations like the Bay of Islands and Hokianga. This will not only support InterCity’s own products, but bring business to other operators and accommodation providers.

 

In October 2009, InterCity launched Ipipiri, a $12 million overnight cruise ship in the Bay of Islands and the biggest new product investment in the area in 12 years. It is about to launch a new “hop on-hop off” CitySights tour that will connect Wellington’s main visitor attractions.

 

Two individuals were also recognised at last night’s award ceremony for their outstanding services and contributions to ITOC and New Zealand tourism.

 

Warren Harford, Managing Director of the Agrodome in Rotorua, has been an ITOC board member for 18 years and has served as Vice-President for the past 14 years since 1996.

 

Mark Quickfall, Managing Director of Queenstown-based Totally Tourism, has served as an ITOC board member since 1996.

 

Both men have decided to step down from the board this year.

 

ITOC represents New Zealand tour operators and suppliers who handle a large share of New Zealand’s inbound tourism business.