thl enhances self-drive experiences

MEDIA RELEASE
April 2013

thl enhances self-drive experiences

Tourism Holdings Limited (thl) is continuing to develop its New Zealand leisure offerings with a range of new experiences and add-on options for customers.

With an extensive choice in motorhomes, which includes KEA, Maui, United, Britz and Mighty, thl offers unforgettable self-drive holiday experiences for every type of customer whether their budget is ‘luxe’ or ‘less’.

According to a report commissioned by thl last year, during 2011, campervan tourism was responsible for delivering almost half a billion dollars to the NZ tourism sector and generating nearly one million campervan hire days 1.

CEO Grant Webster says: “As the report suggests, the campervan industry delivers high value customers to New Zealand that reach more regions of the country than other travel options. We’re continuously looking at innovative ways to enhance our customers’ New Zealand experiences in a targeted and engaging way, enabling tourists to discover the very best of what New Zealand has to offer and driving more value into the country”

“Visitors have a strong interest in our quality food and wine sector and are motivated by a sense of freedom and discovery, which is why we have launched the maui Winery Havens and Britz Bikes brand experiences.

“We pride ourselves on offering something for everyone. Whether its camping in the comfort of a maui ‘apartment on wheels’, a cycling trip with Britz Bikes or a low cost adventure option with Mighty – we have it all,” says Grant Webster.

Maui Winery Havens
Maui recently launched Winery Havens, a unique consumer experience combining the best of New Zealand’s world famous vineyards with maui’s impeccably high standard of motorhome vehicles. Customers staying overnight in a maui motorhome at a selected partner winery can enjoy the local wine and produce on-site and then wake up in an idyllic vineyard setting.

Britz Bikes – Official Partner of The New Zealand Cycle Trail
With a large fleet of vehicles available and now a new pick-up and drop-off point in Queenstown, Britz campervans are ideally suited to outdoor adventure-seeking travellers. This month Britz confirmed a renewed partnership with Nga Haerenga - The New Zealand Cycle Trail. Following its successful launch of Britz Bikes in 2011, the initiative offers a choice of top quality bikes and bike racks that can be fitted to the back of Britz campervans for the ultimate adventure while on the road.

Mighty Jackpot
Making its mark in self-drive holidays for the value-conscious traveller, Mighty is a cost-effective campervan option that doesn’t scrimp on vehicle quality, design or service. The Mighty Jackpot is the signature vehicle and just one example of how clever design is revolutionising compact travel. In addition to bucket loads of storage, the Mighty Jackpot is packed with awesome features including a comfortable canvas hammock and a cool pin board for everything from maps to concert tickets.
Add-ons to enhance the self-drive experience
To maximise the Kiwi holiday experience, thl has launched free bespoke iPhone travel apps for all thl rental customers, powered by Tourism Radio. The apps provide visual and audio commentary and are the ultimate travel guide, packed with well-researched local information and more than 950 points of interest covering the whole country including scenic highlights, landmarks, and historic points, cultural places of significance, city information, activities, accommodation and cuisine.

To make the self-drive experience even more hassle-free, thl has recently partnered with Holiday Grocery Box to offer an ‘add on’ to customers. When booking, customers can choose to have a grocery box with enough supplies for the first three days of travel, delivered to their motorhome so they can get straight on the road and not have to worry about finding a local supermarket. To add a real Kiwi flavour to the holiday, Holiday Grocery Box have also launched a BBQ Pack including a single-use BBQ, steak, tomato sauce and a price of Pavlova and L&P. Great value at only $50 when booking any thl camper.
Enjoy the ‘Luxperience’
Since the November 2012 merger of thl with KEA Campers and United Campervans, New Zealand’s leading tourism operator continues to lead the way in design, manufacture and the development of the latest KEA ‘luxperience’ motorhome option.

KEA Campers provide all the luxuries of home with the freedom of camping. Custom-built & designed with the private market in mind, KEA are available in two, four or six berth sizes with a small pool of rental vehicles available that are never more than 12 months old.

Spacious interiors, large dining spaces and panoramic windows mean that KEA offers a ‘luxperience’ second to none in the comfort of either a Mercedes or VW vehicle.

-Ends-

1 The Report is called Understanding the Value Created by Campervan Tourists in New Zealand, written by Jennie Coker, Covec Ltd, October 2012.

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