New Zealand leads top international destinations list for Australians to visit this Christmas, according to Wotif.com
survey
Auckland – 22 December 2005, Wotif.com ( http://www.wotif.com), Australasia’s, leading accommodation website, revealed today that
Auckland tops the list of the most popular international destinations for Australians to visit for the Christmas
holidays* this year.
Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington dominate the top three places Aussies are choosing to visit internationally, but
even more pleasing is that Rotorua, is in fifth place, with Queenstown and Hamilton sitting at seventh and eighth place
respectively.
Wotif.com New Zealand Manager Tania Witheford says the Wotif.com survey proves that strategies by regional tourism
operators and Tourism New Zealand to target the Australian market is definitely worthwhile pursuing.
“We have a strong database of loyal customers across the Tasman and with great deals on offer with our accommodation
partners our neighbours see New Zealand as a perfect place to visit.
The Wotif.com survey looked at destinations booked online for holidays between the 23rd and 27th December
Meanwhile a separate survey for the Australian market shows Melbourne as the number one destination for locals to visit.
While the traditional beachside Australian destinations of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast both appear in the top
five, it appears that many Australians are opting for a city-based getaway this Christmas, with Sydney, Brisbane and
Adelaide placed as the third, fourth and sixth most popular destinations respectively.
Reagan Hull, Wotif.com Customer Service Centre Manager, commented, “As holidaymakers flock to the beach over Christmas,
city hotels and apartments have lower than usual occupancy levels and, as a consequence, are offering great rates to
attract customers.
“Our customers are savvy holiday shoppers, and they know there are still great accommodation deals to be found, even in
busy times such as Christmas, if they are prepared to look at destinations not traditionally considered at this time of
year.”
Other popular international destinations include Bangkok, Singapore, Spain and Berlin.
Top Ten International Destinations
1. Auckland
2. Christchurch
3. Wellington
4. Bangkok
5. Rotorua
6. Singapore
7. Queenstown
8. Hamilton
9. Barcelona
10. Berlin
Top Ten Australian Destinations
1. Melbourne
2. Gold Coast
3. Sydney
4. Brisbane
5. Sunshine Coast
6. Adelaide
7. Coffs Harbour
8. Tropical North
9. Port Macquarie
10. Launceston
Still looking for a great deal for a Christmas getaway? Then check out Wotif.com’s pick of the hottest deals around** …
Auckland – New Zealand
Hotel: Duxton Hotel Auckland
Rate: Down to NZ$145 per night (normally NZ$350 per night) – a saving of 58% Room Type: Deluxe room
Rate Includes: Accommodation for two in a deluxe room, two free glasses of bubbles, a gourmet rum truffle chocolate
Christmas pudding and free parking
Wellington – New Zealand
Hotel: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor – 4 star
Rate: Down to NZ$159 per night (normally NZ$348 per night) – a saving of 54%
Room Type: Cool Hot Deal
Rate Includes: Accommodation for two in a standard room, full buffet breakfast for two, a late check out of 1pm. Kids
under 14 years eat breakfast for free.
Christchurch – New Zealand
Hotel: Copthorne Durham Street
Rate: Down to NZ$149 per night (normally NZ$260 per night) – a saving of 42%
Room Type: Bed & Breakfast
Rate Includes: Accommodation for two in a standard room, breakfast for two, complimentary car parking and daily
newspaper delivered each morning.
Across the Tasman
Melbourne CBD
Hotel: Rialto Hotel on Collins – 5 Star
Rate: Down to $198 per night (normally $475 per night) – a saving of 58%
Room Type: Champagne Shopping
Rate Includes: Accommodation for two in a deluxe room, a gift bag containing a Napoleon Lip Gloss and a copy of ‘Shop
till you Drop’ magazine, full buffet breakfast, valet parking and a glass of champagne on arrival!
Sydney CBD
Hotel: Four Points by Sheraton Darling Harbour – 4½ Star
Rate: Down to $185 per night (normally $429 per night) a saving of 57%
Room Type: City Side King
Rate Includes: Accommodation for two in a city side room
Link: www.wotif.com/hotel957
Adelaide CBD
Hotel: Radisson Playford Adelaide – 5 Star
Rate: Down to $185 per night (normally $450 per night) – a saving of 58%
Room Type: Summer Holiday Package
Rate Includes: Accommodation for two in a one bedroom spa suite, full breakfast, morning juice/coffee, daily newspaper,
laundry, Internet access, free in-house movies and parking (terms & conditions apply)
-ends-
Notes to editor
* Destinations surveyed from bookings made between 23 and 27 December on Wotif.com
** All prices are per room per night for two, unless otherwise stated, and were available in sufficient quantity at
the time of writing, however rates and availability are subject to change at any time
About Wotif.com
Wotif.com is New Zealand and Australia’s leading accommodation website, providing consumers with access to great rates.
The fast and easy-to-use website attracts nearly 2 million users and processes more than 100,000 bookings each month.
Founded in 2000, Wotif.com’s head office is in Brisbane, Australia, with international offices in Canada, New Zealand,
Singapore and the United Kingdom. Wotif.com’s properties range from hotels, motels, serviced apartments, lodges and bed
and breakfasts and can be booked online or through the Customer Service Centre, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.