NZ’s House of Travel has told www.stuff.co.nz that a lousy start to summer and cheap package deals have boosted sales for Pacific Island holidays by 25%, taking up half-price specials being offered by airlines and resorts in the wake of the coup in Fiji and riots in Tonga.
House of Travel retail director Brent Thomas said the lowest airfares were about 20% below what they were at this time last year, and hotels were about 40% cheaper, adding, “People are saying we haven’t had much of a summer, we need to guarantee ourselves one at some stage, and the deals to Fiji are particularly good.”
Air New Zealand was offering a one-way fare to Fiji of $309 and five nights in a five-star resort for just under $1200. Air Pacific’s $499 return fare also came with a 40% discount on accommodation.
Air New Zealand said yesterday that bookings were in line with the time of year and the special fares were a normal part of its New Year’s sale.
Mr Thomas said holidaymakers were not being put off by the coup, which had had minimal effect on travel or the resorts.
However, the specials drawing tourists to Fiji had also generated interest in other Pacific destinations, particularly the Cook Islands, even though these prices were similar to last year.
The rising New Zealand dollar, which buys about F$1.17, also made a holiday more affordable.
Travel insurance did not cover losses as a direct result of the coup, but normal claims, including lost luggage and medical expenses, were still covered, Mr Thomas said.
Flight Centre General Manager Rick Hamilton said demand for the post-coup bargains could ensure a record 2 million international trips would be taken by New Zealanders this year. The latest available figures showed 1.86 million overseas trips were taken in the year to September 30.
Report by The Mole
