Cheap deals make Kiwis fly
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Cheap deals make Kiwis fly
By KAREN ARNOLD – Sunday, 01 March 2009
The onset of economic winter makes the thought of a tropical holiday more attractive.
Kiwi travellersare snapping up cheap travel deals to the South Pacific and Australia as the battle for the dwindling tourist dollar heats up.
With winter approaching, sunseekers have a smorgasbord of destinations to choose from such as Samoa, where flights and a five-night stay can cost from as little as $729 per person (share twin) or Rarotonga from $799 for five nights – with scooter hire included.
Packages featuring deep discounts, free accommodation and meals are enticing recession-weary punters through the doors of travel agencies around the country. "When do you buy? Now.
Andrew Stark, general manager products at Flight Centre, told the Sunday Star-Times there was no time like the present to book and pay for a holiday as airlines and hotels looked to plug gaps in capacity.
Last year almost 1."
It was the only way punters could guarantee the price and dates of travel that suited them, he said.
House of Travel sales director Brent Thomas said even if unemployment reached 8%, it still meant 92% of the available workforce had jobs and with lower interest rates and more tax cuts on the horizon plus four weeks' holiday for all workers many families would be taking a break.5 million New Zealanders went on an overseas holiday and industry reps are picking outbound tourism could hold its own for much of 2009, despite the recession. "There's a travel psyche in New Zealanders and when things are bad, people look for escapism.
Bookings across House of Travel agencies were up 25% for the end of January and beginning of February compared to the same time last year. "There are airfares to Oz sub-$150."
Thomas said the best holiday deals were close to home, especially to Fiji, the Cook Islands and Australia. You can't get a taxi from Auckland airport to the city for less than $50. If you take off the taxes the fare is about $50. "We are seeing some unbelievable cruising deals two-for-one in the Mediterranean."
And with Americans staying at home, there were also bargains to be had further afield. Thomas said he knew of one family whose first quote for airfares for two adults and three children to the United Kingdom came to $14,000."
Long-haul travel was likely to come under some pressure, but there were still good earlybird deals to Europe for those who booked in advance."
He believes the specials will continue throughout the year as airlines and accommodation providers work to fill empty seats and beds, although prices could vary from month to month, depending on capacity. "By the time they booked, they paid less than $8000.
She and her husband Iain are expecting their first baby in June and will be also travelling with her parents.
Rebecca Stewart, of Auckland, said her family have booked and paid for a trip to Atlanta, in the United States, where they'll spend Christmas with her brother and sister-in-law." Despite the forecast gloom and doom, the couple remain optimistic." Despite the forecast gloom and doom, the couple remain optimistic. "We are prioritising what's important to us and, despite the recession, we're trying to stay positive."
They were among the 30,000 people who attended three Flight Centre travel expos held in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch – the highest number of visitors since the expo's inception in 1999.
"It shows people are still interested in spending and travelling," said Stark. He said there was still disposable income around as people put off borrowing for a house or car and chose a cheaper item such as a holiday.
Many were choosing packages that included travel, accommodation and meals such as coach tours and cruises. "Then there are no hidden surprises."
But Stark warned deals couldn't get much cheaper, especially to Europe.
"This time last year fares to the UK weren't less than $2400. During the last 12 months we've seen them $2200, $1800, $1600 and now Korean Air has $1500 return.