In this episode talk about The Great Resignation, an American phenomenon which looks like it will make its way around the globe. It’s a phrase that has come to describe record levels of job turnover experienced this year – in September alone an incredible 4.4 million American’s quit their jobs – that’s almost the population of New Zealand! It seems to all boil down to one key factor: that Covid-19 has changed our relationship with work. Now more than ever, people are realising that they deserve better – whether it’s a chasing a dream, finding a role better suited for their lifestyle or simply ..read more

We all know that a salesperson is someone who sells products, goods, and services to customers. But did you know that this role is particularly critical for the Tourism & Hospitality industry? These talented folk work their magic to ensure a sale both globally and domestically, work closely with marketing teams … and uniquely for the Tourism industry, they work very hard to attract the MICE market, which stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions, and is a niche but incredibly profitable part of the Tourism industry. In this episode, we speak with three heroes of legendar ..read more

We have a problem in the tourism industry. There is a mentality that discounting is a solution to filling seats, beds and tickets. While it has its place for last minute deals, it’s not a financially sustainable strategy for tourism operators on a day to day basis and travel discounting websites are the root of this problem. Yet there are deal websites in New Zealand that are driving sales by featuring operators that discount more. The higher the discount the higher your listing is featured. The expectation of large discounts COMBINED with a commission to the third-party website is simply driv ..read more

In this episode, we welcome Lisa Chambers from the INFLITE Group to the Destinate NZ podcast.  We chat about how we found our way into the tourism industry, some advice for those starting out, and how Covid has affected us personally and professionally.  Join us for a few laughs and hopefully some insights into what others have been doing throughout 2020.  The post Podcast: Destinate NZ's first special guest - Lisa Chambers first appeared on Tourism Industry Blog ..read more

In this episode we discuss how events and tourism go hand-in-hand. First, we speak to Lisa Hopkins, CEO of CINZ about global conventions and meetings and why we need to be attracting these high value events to New Zealand. Then we chat to Lee Picken, Event Manager of Fieldays about the LARGEST agricultural event in the Southern Hemisphere and how they work with their exhibitors and tourism agencies to promote our amazing Kiwi event locally and to the world. Our success story this week focuses on Elemental AKL, Auckland’s winter event, and how this was developed by ATEED to specifically generat ..read more

So here’s a little fun fact for you – on Sunday we only have 90 days left in the year!  Someone reminded me of this on LinkedIn the other day and when you see it written like that, it’s a bit scary!  Although to be fair, a lot of us are also pretty excited by the prospect of bidding farewell to 2020 too!   The person who shared this little fact was also talking about 90 day goals and how it would be a great opportunity to set yourself one last goal for 2020!  In this episode, I challenge you to set yourself a 90 day goal, and also discuss some immediate things you ..read more

In this episode Megan discusses sustainable tourism with industry professionals who are leading the way in this space. On our first panel, Jacqui Wilkinson (Adventure Capital NZ) and Trent Yeo (Ziptrek Ecotours New Zealand) explore how the tourism industry can improve, what they’re doing in their respective businesses and tips and tricks others can learn from. Then we have Lynn Robinson (Tourism Industry Aotearoa) and Paul Yeo (Tourism New Zealand) chatting about the Tourism Sustainability Commitment and Tiaki Promise, two great initiatives established to help our tourism industry, how New Zea ..read more

I’m not sure if you’re noticing the same thing I am at the moment, and that’s the fact that nearly every second post on my social media is someone offering me a magic silver bullet to make me a millionaire!  Promising 7 figure results in the matter of months.  If only it were that easy! In this episode, I talk through the steps I take with my clients when we’re developing their new marketing and sales plans.   We start with STRATEGY.  The post Podcast: Marketing is not ONE silver bullet first appeared on Tourism Industry Blog ..read more

In this episode, Megan and our panelists chat about ‘Māori tourism’. We hear from Rewi Spraggon, the founder of The Hāngi Master, who discusses manaakitanga and the opportunities for ‘Māui’prenuers to follow in his footsteps. Plus, we talk to Tapeta Wehi, founder of The Haka Experience and Kiriana Koni – one of our amazing Go with Tourism heroes – on building a career based on your culture and how tourism in Aotearoa New Zealand can align with Māori culture better. Additionally, Jason Biggs talks us through the need for ‘work in progress’ conversations; and Kate Godfrey of Madison Recruitment ..read more

Hopefully by now you’ve all had plenty of domestic visitors through your doors.  I’ve been really fortunate to be working with some amazing operators right around the country who have been busy refocusing their efforts on the domestic market and in this episode I discuss a few trends I’ve started noticing.   I’d be really interested to hear from you as to what you’re seeing in your business too after this episode. The one thing to remember through all of this is that all the work you do now in the domestic space isn’t just helping you through these times with the borders clo ..read more