Hello,
Personalisation is a hot travel trend these days, especially in today’s data-driven world. It’s also increasingly important that our customers know that their needs matter.
“Bleisure travel” combines both travel for business and leisure. While not the newest of travel trends — extending a business trip to enjoy some leisure time at a destination has been a common practice for as long as business trips have existed. As key customers of APX, we are always looking at innovative ways to add value to your organisation. As the corporate arm of helloworld Travel, we get access to some fantastic offerings that we can share with you.
Have a look at some of these offers from APX Holidays in this month’s newsletter – I hope you find something that suits or contact the team to find something amazing just for you.
Regards,
Deborah Gyde
General Manager NZ
NZ Business Traveller Top 10 Stories
In partnership with NZ Business Traveller, APX presents the top stories from the industry over the month:
- A new boutique hotel, Cititel X, is set to open in Sydney’s thriving Pyrmont/Darling Harbour precinct at the start of 2020, offering a premium location at great-value rates, with a distinctive ‘home away from home’ design. Read the article.
- Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts has unveiled its new public space design for the first time in Europe at Crowne Plaza Paris – Republique. Read the article.
- The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts’ two Singapore properties currently hold the top spots in the country’s TripAdvisor ranking. Read the article.
- Fiji Airways has released the first look of its new business class on the new Airbus A350 Xtra Wide Body jets, joining its fleet in late November 2019. Read the article.
- An ambitious and bold new airline start-up, Starlux Airlines is set to take wins in 2020 stepping up competition in well competed Asia business travel market. Read the article.
- Strike Gold with Qatar Airways' fast track your status offer. Read the article.
- Hotel review: Shadow Play by Peppers. Read the article.
- Emirates introduced an innovative new function on its app to allow customers to create bespoke playlists ahead of their flight and sync it to their seats once on board. Read the article.
- Accor Hotels has opened the doors to its ninth Art Series hotel, The Adnate, which stands adjacent to Perth’s luxury and lifestyle destination of King Street in the city centre. Read the article.
- A professor who has been blind since she was 14 has launched a navigation app that provides turn-by-turn audio instructions for users. Read the article.
APX Holidays Deals
APX isn't all work and no leisure. As part of helloworld Travel, APX Holidays has access to hundreds of leading deals like these top picks:
*Deals valid as at 17 October 2019.
- Bula! Fabulous Fiji is on sale now with specials for families & couples. Plus, amazing upgrade options and a great regional flight add on offer. Hurry, sale ends tomorrow. Check out these holidays.
- UK & Europe deals for 2020 are out now with flights to London starting from $1459* Find your flights.
- Register your interest for an incredible World Cruise with Princess Cruises® Take a look.
- Pick your place… USA, Asia & South Africa on sale now with Qantas. Discover all the deals.
- Antarctica feels a world away but could be closer than ever with up to 50% off expeditions for Nov-Dec 19 departures. Explore more.
Get in touch to book or to discover even more amazing deals to the destinations of your dreams. Plus, get 20% off comprehensive travel insurance. Call APX Holidays on 0800 486 772 or email holidays@apx.co.nz.
Product of the Month: Avis & Budget Hybrid Vehicles
Avis and Budget are committed to moving towards a sustainable future. Both Avis and Budget offer Toyota Corolla hybrids (Group L) and Toyota Camry hybrids (Group K). With over 200 units in the winter season, climbing to more than 500 in the summer, there is no shortage of fuel-efficient options.
Seamlessly able to switch between electricity and fuel, hybrids deliver 30-40% savings in running costs, comparative to a non-hybrid vehicle of the same size. On a full tank, you can travel an impressive 1,000+ kilometres in a Toyota Camry hybrid and its self-charging system means it recharges as you drive.
Other Avis and Budget sustainability initiatives include recycling oil, responsible tyre recycling and adopting the New Zealand Tourism Sustainability Commitment. Find out more in this Avis flyer and Budget flyer.
Air New Zealand Announce Economy Stretch
Yesterday, Air NZ announced a new, more spacious Economy product on its long-haul fleet from late 2020, offering customers extra legroom and perks. “Economy Stretch” is a comfort-led enhancement to their economy service with a bigger 35” legroom vs the current 31” in economy and 41” in Premium Economy. The new Economy Stretch will also include amenities such as a premium headset and plush pillow. The airline is currently reconfiguring its 29 widebody aircraft to fit up to 42 Economy Stretch seats at the front of its economy cabins.
Jetstar Withdraw from Regional Services
Jetstar yesterday confirmed it will cease its regional Q300 turboprop services in New Zealand from 1 December 2019. This affects Jetstar flights to/from Nelson, Napier, New Plymouth and Palmerston North. Jetstar’s A320 domestic and international jet services are not affected.
As Jetstar cited in their proposal announcement in September, this decision is based on regional operations continuing to be loss making, combined with higher costs and a softening of the regional travel market.
All affected APX passengers have been contacted and their flight cancellations have been resolved. Customers who have booked direct will be contacted by Jetstar or their codeshare airline. Find out more here.
Ramada Opening Special Rates
Among Ramada Hotels’ new properties are Victoria Street and Manakau who have special opening rates:
- Conveniently located in Auckland CBD, Ramada Suites Victoria Street is a 4-star hotel opening 1 November. Opening special room rates are available from $169 per night until 31 October.
- Newly opened, Ramada Suites Manakau is close to Auckland Airport and has quick access to the CBD via motorway in 20 min. Opening special room rates are available from $159 per night until 31 December.
International SOS Ease Travel Concerns Among Diverse Workforces
Business travellers are reflecting a diverse workforce – how are you protecting your people when they travel overseas? When an education NGO needed to send a group of travellers, mostly women, to a project site in Saudi Arabia, they turned to International SOS for help ensuring everyone was prepared and felt comfortable with the assignment. This included an openly gay female traveller who had specific concerns about her safety while travelling to that country.
Learn how International SOS helped educate the travelling staff to give them and their employer peace of mind and the knowledge needed to stay safe. Read the case study here.
Grand Mercure Launch High Tea
Last week, Grand Mercure launched one of Auckland’s most stylish high tea experiences, paired with sweeping harbour views. Positioned above Customs Street with city and harbour vistas, their Vue Restaurant offers a picturesque setting for a weekend high tea encounter. Executive Chef, Daniel Na and Head Pastry Chef, Jonathan Bertrand have come together to create a gourmet three-tiered stand of modern high tea cuisine. From the tea trolley to the bird-cage stand, and pastry items with a twist and bottomless Bellinis, there’s an instragramable moment in every bite. Find out more or book here.
Yoogo Share Joins the All of Government Rental Vehicles Panel
New Zealand Government Procurement recently launched a “less-than-one-day rentals” category as part of the All of Government rental vehicles contract. Yoogo Share, a fully electric car sharing service, is the latest vendor added to this category, allowing Government agencies to procure their services. This is a big endorsement for Yoogo Share and its zero emission car sharing service. Find out more here.
Emirates Team New Zealand Launch Their First Boat
After more than a year in the making, Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ) launched the first of their two full scale race boats for the 2021 America’s Cup in Auckland last month. With Emirates’ sponsorship of Team New Zealand dating back to 2004, Emirates is committed to supporting the team on their journey towards the 2021 America’s Cup and congratulates everyone involved in this momentous occasion.
Taking place at the ETNZ team base in Auckland’s Viaduct, the event was attended by hundreds of people, including New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Adern. Named ‘Te Aihe’ (Maori for dolphin), the AC75 vessel was christened by Marcus Gerbich, a representative from the team’s charity, Motor Neurone Disease Association of NZ. It was blessed by Ngati Whatua.
Accor Hotels’ Triple Rewards Points Offer
Accor are offering triple Le Club points for stays until 31 December. Existing or new Accor Le Club members who register for the offer before their stay will earn 3x points at Accor hotels across Asia Pacific. Bookings must be made before 31 October; advise your APX consultant of your membership at the time of booking. Find out more and register here.
Cityhop Expands to AKL and WLG Airports
Cityhop’s car sharing service is now live at Auckland and Wellington Airports. Cityhop is New Zealand’s largest car sharing provider, giving drivers access to hundreds of vehicles available by the hour, including an EV range. Members book the location and vehicle, unlock it with their Cityhop smartcard, and drive away, with fuel and insurance all-inclusive in the pricing. Cityhop prides itself on saving businesses time and money, while supporting sustainability efforts. Find out more here.
Vibe Hotel Openings in Australia
TFE Hotels have opened a fourth Vibe Hotel in the Sydney city centre with the arrival of the Vibe Hotel Darling Harbour. Located on Sussex Street, the stylish hotel features 145-rooms with playful design touches inspired by the feel of a New York loft. Also home to Sydney’s newest rooftop pool, restaurant and bar, Above 319, guests can truly switch off in the heart of the city, while admiring the stunning Darling Harbour views. Another new property for the brand and a new city in its portfolio, Vibe Hotel Melbourne is set to open in February. More details coming soon.
Cordis Turns Food Waste into Water
Cordis Auckland have marked a year of zero food waste to landfill thanks to a state-of-the-art machine that was installed in December 2017. Since then, it has converted almost 100 tonnes of food waste into water. ‘Consuming’ the food within the machine’s ‘belly’, the ORCA Interwaste technology mimics a natural digestion process. The perfect thermophilic biological environment is created within the machine for micro-organisms to digest food waste and turn it into environmentally safe water which is carried away through sewage.
Virgin Australia Joins the All of Government Air Travel Panel
Virgin Australia has been appointed to the All of Government Air Travel contract for the Trans-Tasman region effective this month. Currently on the panel since 2017 for Pacific Islands, Middle East, North America and Europe, Government agencies are now able to book with Virgin Australia on Trans-Tasman routes, given them greater choice.
Westin Sydney Converts to The Fullerton Hotel
Tomorrow marks the debut of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney rebrand, formerly The Westin Sydney. It becomes a sister property to the beautifully restored The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, which shares a similar rich history as a former post office building. The Fullerton Hotel Sydney is the brand’s first international expansion who pledge to bring an elevated hospitality experience steeped in character, culture and heritage.
Hyatt Open San Francisco Airport’s Only Hotel
Last week, Hyatt announced the opening of Grand Hyatt at San Francisco International Airport which is now accepting guests. As the only on-airport hotel, the $237 million luxury hotel features 351 rooms, over 14,000 square feet of meeting and event space and two distinct culinary concepts. Directly connected to all airport terminals with its own AirTrain station, Grand Hyatt at SFO serves as a captivating destination within a destination and elevated respite for corporate business travellers. The opening marks a key milestone in Hyatt’s west coast US expansion plan to add 40 new hotels in California, Oregon and Washington by the end of 2021.
