Technology

Total travel booking volumes rose 73% to 2.3 million from 1.3 million and online travel bookings increased 75% to 2 million from 1.1 million.

The future of boarding passes could soon be written on passengers’ faces as Air New Zealand looks to digitise the process through biometric facial recognition technology.

Auckland Transport’s TāmakiLink bus service now has eight new electric buses to complement an additional 27 serving the Eastern Bays routes across the city.

Eagles Nest in the Bay of Islands has launched a virtual reality hub enabling potential customers and commercial partners to access a fully immersive online experience of the luxury resort.

Digital city guide Concrete Playground has launched an e-commerce travel platform aimed at young travellers across New Zealand and Australia.

Two in five travel managers said technology was a top pain point – however, 59% also said it was a top factor when selecting a travel management company.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa and Facebook owner Meta have partnered to hold an in-person digital workshop in Queenstown.

Greater Wellington’s climate committee is urging the regional council to approve two carbon reduction and energy efficiency projects from Metlink and Wellington Regional Stadium Trust.

Although tourism in the metaverse cannot replace a real-world experience, technology has the power to share sites that are not easily accessible or completely ignored.

IT consulting and support business Both Brains has signed on as a silver sponsor for the upcoming Backpacker Youth Adventure Tourism Association Conference at Rydges in Auckland on 25 – 26 August.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa and Meta, the company behind Facebook, will run digital skills workshops in Queenstown and Rotorua in September.

The future is bright for tourism and hospitality despite a challenging year as the tension between economic forces and pent-up demand for travel prompt consumer caution – and there are several things businesses can do to thrive, says Google’s head of travel.

Tourwriter has hired TNZ’s former global head of business events, Lisa Gardiner, to fill the new role of head of growth at the travel software service provider.

Ngāi Tahu Tourism says its wants to have half of its jet boat fleet electric by 2030.

More than 30,000 small businesses have taken advantage of the government’s Digital Boost programme, which aims to support the uptake of digital tools and e-commerce.

Avis has added almost 100 vehicles, including the Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Hyundai Kona to its Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch fleets.

New Zealand-based hotel software company Preno will open its first office in London to support and reach new customers in the UK market.

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Destination Kaikōura has launched an automated smart voucher system called aiva, which aims to provide operators with low-cost direct sell capabilities.

MG Motors New Zealand has launched a programme for New Zealand accommodation providers who wish to add electric vehicle chargers to their facilities.

Up to $6m funding is available for projects that will help to decarbonise New Zealand’s transport sector, as part of the government’s Low Energy Transport Fund.

Go Bus will lease 18 new electric buses across its Christchurch fleet from Zenobē, a UK-based specialist in EV and battery storage that is about to enter the New Zealand market.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff has welcomed the introduction of two fully electric ferries to the city’s public transport system from 2024, but he would like to add at least six additional ferries to the fleet.

Auckland will have two fully-electric ferries transporting visitors and commuters around the harbour in 2024

Air New Zealand is backing a new effort to bring a fleet of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as part of a car-sharing scheme.

Donor rewards include trips with South Pacific Helicopters, Whale Watch Kaikōura, as well as luxury accommodation at Hapuku Lodge and Treehouses.

The deal could advance New Zealand towards a zero-carbon future and make use of the country’s ‘blue highway’.

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Serko’s Australian transaction growth has reached 60% of 2019 volumes, but growth in New Zealand remains suppressed.

A free wifi service will launch in central Christchurch, aimed at making the city a desirable place for locals and visitors and to support the local tourism sector by attracting events and conferences.

A new refundable bookings system introduced to support New Zealand’s tourism sector has seen strong uptake by both businesses and travellers, says Tomahawk.

A new travel-focused digital platform has launched to connect content creators with consumers.

The Whale Tales 2022 public art trail has launched in Auckland both in public spaces and as a virtual, interactive trail.

Wānaka food and wine festival Ripe will take place online on 19 March, the same day the cancelled live event was due to take place.

NZ’s travel recovery may take a little longer than overseas but it can still be quick, says the online travel booking firm’s CEO, Darrin Grafton.

New technologies mean tourists are able to explore a destination without ever setting foot. Is this future of tourism a reality or simply science fiction? Victoria University of Wellington tourism management PhD student Naji Gharibi takes a look.

Tourism businesses are getting ready in a number of ways, and for Auckland Seaplanes, it was just in time.

One of the country’s iconic tourism businesses suffers an “incredibly disruptive” cyberattack.

ASX-listed Camplify has applied to the Commerce Commission for permission to acquire Tourism Holdings’ peer-to-peer motorhome and campervan rental platforms, Mighway and SHAREaCAMPER.

The southern hemisphere’s first fully electric, high speed commuter ferry launches today in Wellington.

Fullers360 says it has invested more than $1m in a new plug-in electric hybrid ferry that will launch in 2023.

Longer waiting times, better technology and more mindfulness are some of the predictions for the future of tourism as New Zealand moves to slowly open its doors to the world in 2022.

Serko has opened its $10m non-underwritten retail offer to eligible shareholders.

Maverick has worked with RTOs to drive sales to regional operators and is also involved in the Qualmark Digital Enablement programme.

The business travel booking platform is also eyeing acquisitions to drive growth.

In the first of a series of profiles leading up to the 2021 NZ Tourism Awards, the Ticker talks to NZ Nature Highlights.

The Waitaki region has a new virtual hub providing free images of the region, which local operators can use to promote tours, accommodation or other services.

More and more Kiwi operators are going virtual to find new markets.

Southern Cross Travel Insurance is launching a chatbot named Scout as it prepares for an increase in future travel bookings.

Cloud-based channel management and accommodation booking engine firm STAAH has become a New Zealand FernMark licensee, certifying that it is a New Zealand-based technology company.