Recommend April 2012 - (Page 68)

ince New Zealand is such a thrilling destination, travelers should “allow as much time as possible, as there is much to see and do.” River bugging, a new way to conquer white-water. continued from page 64 Then there are the cities that give the country a distinctive urban panache. Their names roll off the tongue easily: Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland and a multitude of lesser towns with unmistakable New Zealand character stamped all over them. With all this beauty it’s no wonder that New Zealand was recently ranked as one of the “most desirable” destinations in the world by a variety of travel websites and magazines, despite the havoc caused by a devastating earthquake in February 2011. “Although there was great destruction on the South Island and tourism to Christchurch suffered tremendously,” says Gregg Anderson, general manager, Western markets, for the New Zealand Tourism Board, “the area is now very close to full recovery.” The recovery has been so rapid that American visitors to New Zealand grew by more than 2 percent during December 2011, when nearly 25,000 U.S. tourists visited. Anderson adds that cruise liners avoided Christchurch after the quake, but tourism held steady, as the ships dropped anchor some 25 miles away in Akaroa, a colorful and historic British-French settlement that mesmerizes with its beauty. This year, two southern New Zealand regions are particularly attracting international visitors. The Southern Lakes Region includes three major tourist destinations—Queenstown, Lake Wanaka and Fiordland—and promises to be a highly proﬁtable destination in the southern hemisphere. The second, Kaikoura, is the whale-watching capital and was recently awarded top honors by a worldwide environmental group for its community sustainability efforts, adding to the country’s already formidable sustainable tourism credentials. Traveling to this fabulous land has never been easier. Air New Zealand, one of the world’s most lauded airlines, offers direct service (from about $998 roundtrip) from the U.S. west coast and its revolutionary “Skycouch”—seats that fold into beds—is changing the concept of economy seating while simultaneously winning many awards in innovation and design. Those looking for adventure under the Southern Cross have a multitude of choices in the large number of tour companies listing New Zealand on their menu. Since New Zealand is a relatively small country, tours—no matter their price—are bound to visit the same spots. The difference lies in the quality of accommodations, amenities, services offered and, of course, price. Still, dipping the proverbial toe in New Zealand tour travel divulges that the cost of most tours does not vary dramatically, and that searching for low-end priced New Zealand tours is thorny since all travel there is far from inexpensive. So travelers basically face two choices: small, less expensive tour operators, or larger, more established companies. S Jane Turner, Founder, Active Downunder get active Active Downunder, a small San Diego-based boutique tour company, offers high-quality, competitively priced adventures that tender a comprehensive and exciting glimpse of New Zealand. Founded in 2002 by Jane Turner, a native New Zealander, the company exempliﬁes tour operators specializing in the country. recommend.com 66 april 2012 IAN TRAFFORD, TOURISM NEW ZEALAND http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend April 2012

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Provenance Hotels
Tour Talk: Trafalgar
Sailing the Galapagos Islands
Now Sapphire
Paradisus Playa del Carmen
Treat Yourself to Brussels
Panama Specialist Program
New Zealand
Turkish Delights
Women Wellness Retreats
The Still-Single Mingle in Vegas
Club Med Sandpiper, Florida
Hawaii: Escaping to the Islands

Recommend April 2012