Media Release
17/11/05
Interislander welcomes international arrivals
Thousands of Kiwis and international visitors to New Zealand are now being welcomed by Interislander as they arrive at
Auckland International Airport.
New Zealand’s largest Cook Strait ferry operator has an advertising billboard campaign showcasing its ferries and
Marlborough Sounds scenery. Two billboards have been positioned immediately before the customs area in the international
terminal and as passengers leave customs and move into the public greeting area
Martin Weekes, General Manager Passenger Services and Hospitality for Interislander, says the new billboards provide an
opportunity to promote its international marketing strategy. “Securing these billboard spaces means that we can now
reach the millions of tourists and New Zealanders who arrive in the country each year and are able to promote
Interislander as a destination within itself,” says Mr Weekes.
“The new billboard sites allow us to capture the majority of our target market and expose people to a genuine Kiwi
experience,” Mr Weekes says.
“An increasing number of visitors are choosing to build their itinerary as they go and targeting this market is
extremely difficult. However, given that all visitors have to go through customs, there’s no better place for
Interislander to be showcased and reach so many people.”
Securing the billboard placement took several months of negotiation with Auckland Airport and with MAF. On seeing the
specially developed billboards the two groups were convinced the advertising initiative would be a good idea.
More than 70 per cent of all international arrivals to New Zealand enter through Auckland International Airport. The
billboards will be on display until the end of the year.
ENDS