An Operator’s View

The operator on the state of the luxury market, taking the long view, and its new conservation credit programme.

The marine operator on his best year yet, controlling costs and pricing, the challenge of finding female guides, and the impact of the World Cup.

Co-owner and skipper Dave Nesbitt on the operator’s recovery from the pandemic and how the addition of a significant new asset will help.

The nature cruise operator on its “fantastic” post-Covid recovery despite staffing and promotional challenges at the small town.

The Waiheke Island operator on recovering from the pandemic, the state of luxury, and the opportunities ahead.

Hanmer Springs Thermal Pool and Spa’s general manager, Graeme Abbot, on the growth achieved since launching New Zealand’s biggest water slide and five new thermal pools, the boost this has created for local businesses and the impact visa processing has on the business.

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John Ziegler, co-founder and managing partner of Los Angeles-based luxury travel company Celestielle, on bringing a global business to New Zealand, using YouTube as a primary sales tool, and the growing trend towards experiential and multi-generational travel within the premium market.

The co-owner of Yello! on growth, coping with extreme visitor peaks and troughs, and preparing for a quieter 2020.

ANZ Nature Tours’ founder on 25 years in the industry, the sale of the business to Haka Tourism Group, the need to develop tour guides for the future, and finding a way to stop offshore operators running tours without visas or concessions.

Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier’s GM on dealing with extreme weather, building infrastructure, and solving skilled staff shortages.

The operator on the rapid growth of premium, how that market wants something different, and the value of sustainable growth.  

The tourism manager on how the opening of NZ’s latest Great Walk is transforming his West Coast business.

Nadine ToeToe, director at the Bay of Plenty’s Kohutapu Lodge and Tribal Tours – which won the 2019 NZ Tourism Industry Awards’ community engagement category – on fulfilling the demand for authentic cultural experiences, creating opportunities for young people, and the National Geographic Photo Camp that changed lives at the Murupara community.

James Dalglish, managing director of GO Rentals, on celebrating the company’s 20th year, a new digital strategy, and using new technology to simplify and automate the customer experience. 

The co-owner on creating a business that encourages customer contribution towards local environmental projects.

The MD on Scenic’s latest $23m investment and the problem with targetting hotels to pay for infrastructure.

The MD on 21 years of pioneering rides, the need for more local tourism investment, and the lack of support for the backpacker and youth sector.

The CEO on a $20m expansion into luxury and the challenges that presented for the Queenstown winery.

Jono Dean, on the business expansion to incorporate year round operations, the challenges presented by changing climate and the associated investment in snowmaking, and the skill shortages making it difficult to hire locally. 

The adventure operator on a new venture with iwi, securing $500k from the PGF, and the challenge of climate change.

The new operator on how Kaikoura’s earthquake helped build the region’s newest attraction.

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.