11 March 2008

Air NZ says g'bye to Qantas trade event

A Report in the New Zealand Herald says that Air New Zealand is upset because Qantas wouldn't allow it to market itself at a tourism open day, with trans Tasman airline rivalry has hit new heights, resulting in Air New Zealand pulling out of a major tourism trade event because it isn't being allowed to compete directly with Qantas.G'day New Zealand Australia Week, organised by Tourism Australia, aims to market Australia to New Zealand's wholesale travel industry.

The event has been running since 2006 and this year for the first time it has tacked on a travel expo day to market Australian tourism direct to the general public.

But, because Qantas is the key sponsor of the week competing airlines have been blocked from having a stall at the public open day, prompting Air NZ to pull out of the entire event.

Air New Zealand's Cam Wallace told Travel Trade that without its participation at the consumer day the investment in the event did not stack up to the rewards.

Flight Centre, New Zealand's largest travel agency, has also pulled out, citing commercial needs.

"The withdrawal does not in any way reflect a change in Flight Centre's attitude to the value of Tourism Australia and its training programme," the company said. Instead, Flight Centre said, it would boost its in-house training which it holds after hours.

Tourism Australia's NZ regional manager Vito Anzelmi said he hoped the more than 150 suppliers attending the event would help broaden people's knowledge about what Australia had to offer.

G'day NZ Australia week will be held from April 24 to May 2 in Auckland at the ASB Showgrounds.

A Report by The Mole from the New Zealand Herald