Look After Me founder Julia Anne on expanding her homestay business into tours and events, navigating the challenges of NZ’s shared access economy, and being one of the few female tech entrepreneurs in the tourism industry.
The Waikato operator on diversification, expansion, launching into tourism and catering for the luxury market.
The commercial development manager on conservation awareness, managing growth, and climate change.
Touch of Spice’s founder and MD on the growth of luxury, how the market is holding up, and the need for better recognition of tourism’s value.
The tour operator GM on diversification, dealing with the slowdown and the growing threat of flight-shaming.
The director of operations on expansion plans, supporting Winter Pride, and the staffing challenges faced by hoteliers.
The owner on the sector’s growth, battling the bed tax, and dealing with government ignorance.
The GM on a submarine exploration and the challenges of maintaining a unique geothermal environment.
The managing director on building a sustainable tourism business with conservation at its heart.
The premium experience tour operator on building a new brand and running NZ’s first Pure Pursuits event.
The hotel GM on Queenstown’s evolving luxury market and the resort’s infrastructure and labour challenges.
The operator on 27 years in the business, environmental challenges, and the importance of destination development.
Manaaki Adventures and Manaaki Rugby Tours’ cofounder Dan Meade talks about developing his tours and a new, unique product created in partnership with the Crusaders.
The operator on 25 years in the business, cost and pricing conundrums and launching what is believed to be the first carbon free off-road touring product in New Zealand.
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Queenstown Holiday Park & Motels Creeksyde’s director and owner Erna Spijkerbosch on the evolution of the 30-year old park, becoming an Earthcheck Master and the importance of preserving camping facilities close to town.
GO Rentals managing director James Dalglish on the operator’s recent expansion, its new technology service, and working to ensure the industry is not “Ubered” in the future.
Rotorua-based Off Road NZ boss, Ian Tew, on developing adventure activity products for the C&I market, how Rotorua is competing for the luxury market and the need for more air connectivity to the North Island tourism hotspot.
After celebrating its first year, Tekapo Star Gazing’s general manager Anton Wilke tells us about the opportunities to grow the guided hot pools and star gazing experience despite the challenges of operating in a small town.
Waikato Regional Airport chief executive Mark Morgan tells the Ticker why the group has decided to enter the hotel market with a $3m acquisition and the plans underway to boost the CCO’s non-aeronautical income.
Land-based tourism operators in the Kaikoura region are struggling to get back on their feet but Glenstrae Farm 4 Wheel Adventures’ Alastair Trewin is trying to turn the disaster to his advantage with a new earthquake tour.
Following the retirement of founders Chris and Sue Jolly, son Simon and his wife Katie are buying Taupo’s Chris Jolly Outdoors. Simon Jolly tells the Ticker of his plans, the launch of the operator’s cultural tours, and why the Taupo region has so much more to offer than just its beautiful lake.
Founder Ed Mumm on founding the business in the US and how this week’s shootings in Las Vegas is something he has always worried about in America.
Heletranz’s co-owner Sofia Ambler tells the Ticker how she went from trading stocks to selling dreams, her company’s recent expansion, and how its new Instrument Flight Rules service is helping inbound tour operators.
Kapiti Island Nature Tours founder John Barrett on the value of culture to its eco-tourism business, overcoming significant opposition to its launch, and expanding beyond the island.
Rotorua Canopy Tours’ co-founder and GM, James Fitzgerald, on how winning last year’s Supreme Award had an immediate impact on his business.
As Black Water Rafting celebrates 30 years this month, operations manager Angus Stubbs tells us how the business has evolved since it launched off the back of a ute, coping with growth that has seen 200 customers a summer become 200 a day, and how caving was a family affair for the Waitomo local.
New Fullers Group chief executive Mike Horne tells the Ticker about the company’s new strategy, the internal changes at the business, coping with Waiheke Island community concerns, and the opportunities ahead for the ferry, cruise and coach operator.
After four years leading the team at Pukaha Mount Bruce, GM Helen Tickner moves on at the end of the month. She tells the Ticker about the challenges she’s faced, the never-ending struggle to fund conservation, but why the future’s still bright at the Wairarapa attraction.
Hassle-free Tours owner Mark Gilbert on how he and his wife Nikki began their business, recovering from the Christchurch earthquakes, and the company’s $2m expansion plans to launch in Queenstown and Auckland.
Mark Rose, general manager of The Rees Hotel and Luxury Apartments, calls for better staff pay for industry workers, why more effort should be made to promote our ‘New Zealandness’, and why he’s pushing the expansion of the hotel out if its Queenstown base.
Following her inaugural Holiday Parks’ Emerging Star Award, Rotorua TOP 10 operator Jasmine Adams tells the Ticker about her work outside of the business, drawing inspiration from others in the industry, and being nominated this week for a NZ Tourism Award.
Maria Kire from Hokianga’s Whispering Trails tells us about turning a lifestyle into a business, combining cultural and eco-tourism, and how the young business recently won a $30,000 development grant.
Coronet Peak’s ski area manager, Nigel Kerr, on what’s changed in the snow industry, what hasn’t, and what’s happening at one of the country’s most popular ski fields.
Waimarino Group’s director, Blair Anderson, on changing international perception of the regions, breaking into the cruise ship market, and first learning about the tourism distribution chain down at the pub.
Earth & Sky GM Margaret Munro on the operator’s new partnership with China Southern Airlines, the challenges of hiring skilled staff, and the progress being made on its joint venture with Ngāi Tahu, the International Astronomy Centre at Lake Tekapo
In the week his Haka Tourism Group celebrates its 10th birthday, founder Ryan Sanders tells us about the group’s move upmarket, building a brand around New Zealand as a tourist destination and his expansion plans for the next decade.
Forgotten World Adventures founder and director Ian Balme on business collaboration, targeting the international market, the value of employing Taumarunui locals and how he went from selling golf cart rides to telling stories.
Explore Group’s chief executive Kit Nixon tells us why the boat cruise and tour company set sail up the value curve, expanding overseas and delivering unique maritime experiences.
Crowne Plaza Queenstown’s General Manager Anna Edie on adapting to her first general manager role in New Zealand, hiring great talent and operating with a point of difference.
Southern Lakes Helicopters’ operations manager Lloyd Matheson tells the Ticker about coping with new DOC and CAA charges, being president of Aviation NZ and what he’d like to see changed, and why the company is now flying in Antarctica.
Timber Trail Lodge director Bruce Maunsell on its first five weeks of operation, the repercussions of the Tourism Growth Partnership being scrapped and the pressing infrastructure needs in the King Country and beyond.
Chief executive Murray Bond on Dunedin Railways’ future, Dunedin’s tourism needs and how he’ll miss the business when he retires in October after 24 years on the job.
NZ Fine Touring Group co-founder David Kettle on the Wanaka-based company’s expansion plans, preparing to enter a new market segment, and why the inbounder is considering entering the hotel sector.
Kelly Tarlton’s SEA LIFE Aquarium’s general manager, Tim Keeling, tells the Ticker about the attraction’s strategy to partner with other operators, driving local engagement and its new Aquarium After Dark event this weekend.
Christchurch International Airport’s chief commercial officer – aeronautical, Justin Watson, shares his views on the airport’s performance and its $180m development programme.
