Record Number of Kiwis Travelling This Festive Season

Media release

December 16 2015

Record Number of Kiwis Travelling This Festive Season

With Christmas just days away, statistics released by Flight Centre NZ show more Kiwis than ever are gearing up to travel this festive season.

Recent figures from the travel retailer show that bookings over the Christmas period (Dec 23 – 26 2015) are up 17 percent on 2014. The number travelling on Christmas Eve is up almost 25 percent.

Sue Matson, Flight Centre NZ general manager retails says, “both domestic and international travel over the festive season is certainly a trend that has really taken off in recent years.”

“With travel more affordable and accessible than ever before, Kiwis are making the most of it. Many are visiting relatives or returning home and a lot have taken the opportunity to have a vacation and catch a week in the sun.”

Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne are where most Flight Centre NZ customers will be travelling to this holiday season, followed by the South Pacific, London and Thailand.

With more Kiwis travelling Flight Centre NZ says airports, transport centers and roads will be busy this year, but Ms Matson says travelers shouldn’t be worried, “travel over this time doesn’t need to be stressful. It pays to plan ahead, allow plenty of time and most importantly remember to relax and have fun, you’re on holiday!”

Flight Centres top 10 tips for travel this holiday season include….

1. Noise cancelling headphones are a must. Especially if you’re on a long haul flight and need some zzzz time.

2. Be sure to double check you have all of your belongings from the plane and collect the right bags at the carousel, you’d be amazed at how many bags look alike.

3. Make sure you check your airlines baggage allowances, you don’t want to be paying excess charges at the airport due to heavy presents. Don’t forget to leave room to bring all of your Christmas goodies back as well.

4. If you’re concerned about your baggage allowance speak with your travel expert about the best options, or consider buying day trips or excursions as gifts so that you don’t have to pack presents.

5. Buy yourself a Christmas treat…. upgrade to business class anyone? (if they’re old enough consider leaving the kids in economy).

6. If you’re travelling with young children on Christmas Eve and have a window seat play a game of ‘spot Santa and his reindeer’, it will keep them entertained for hours.

7. Take time to thank the people working to make your trip possible, especially if it’s right on Christmas. A smile and acknowledgement to an airport worker will make your day better too.

8. Make sure you allow time everywhere, not just at airports. There is always plenty of people around, traffic on the roads, queues for tickets, ice creams, to get off the plane, you don’t want to stress, miss a flight, or miss out, so plan ahead and stay calm.

9. Don’t forget to buy travel insurance, if you’re taking Christmas presents with you that are of high value, it pays to register these as extras on your travel insurance just in case the unthinkable happens. Travel insurance is also vital when travelling abroad to cover you in case of a medical emergency, accident or unforeseen travel disruptions.

10. Speak to your travel expert about pre-booking your transfers, taxis will be in high demand over the holiday period and traffic is often heavier. By pre-booking your transfers you have a set price that is often prepaid, meaning any traffic jams at the airport won’t affect your tariff.

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