Australia’s ski resort operators unite

Australia’s nine leading ski resort operators have joined forces in a marketing push to promote skiing locally.

New Zealand one step closer to national convention centre: PM John Key

BY JAMES WILKINSON IN AUCKLAND

New Zealand’s proposed national convention centre in Auckland is one step closer to a reality with the country’s Prime Minister John Key saying a contract to build the expansive space will be announced in the not-too-distant future.

VIDEO: Christchurch update from tourism chief Tim Hunter

EXCLUSIVE BY JAMES WILKINSON IN AUCKLAND, NZ

A large number of Christchurch hotels remain closed, with just nine of 35 currently operating, putting the brakes firmly on the city’s leisure, business and MICE markets for the foreseeable future.

VIDEO: Accor's NZ head confident of MICE rebound

EXCLUSIVE BY JAMES WILKINSON IN AUCKLAND, NZ

Accor’s Vice President for New Zealand, Paul Richardson, says the New Zealand Government approving a new national convention centre development is a key to the nation’s MICE market rebounding.

VIDEO: South African Airways recording strong Australian growth

EXCLUSIVE BY JAMES WILKINSON IN DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA

South African Airways is seeing significant growth on flights to and from Johannesburg from Sydney and Perth, according to the airline’s head of Australasia’s Thevan Krishna.

VIDEO: South African Tourism's Ngozi talks Indaba

EXCLUSIVE BY JAMES WILKINSON IN DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA

South African Tourism’s Lalie Ngozi is positive about the impact of tourism to her home nation for the remainder of the year, particularly from Australia, following another successful Indaba trade show in Durban last week (May 9).

Virgin Australia and Air NZ reveal joint network

BY JAMES WILKINSON

Following the approval of their alliance by regulators, Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand have revealed their new trans-Tasman network that will come into effect from November 2011.

Major upgrade for Sofitel Fiji Resort

Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa’s General Manager Adam Laker says reinvestment is now the way forward for tourism operators in Fiji as increased visitor numbers to the destination continues to provide stability and new opportunities.

Jamie Durie to rejuvenate Hayman's gardens

Hayman has engaged award-winning landscape designer, horticulturalist, and personality, Jamie Durie, to rejuvenate and refresh the beautiful garden surrounds of the acclaimed resort.

New global president for Les Clefs d'Or

Virginia Casale, Concierge at Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile, has been elected President of the Union Internationale des Concierges (UICH) Les Clefs d’Or.