Eight international travel sellers participated in a West Coast familiarization trip this May.
The itinerary began with the TranzAlpine train journey from Christchurch. Participants visited the Mawhera Pounamu Pathway and Shantytown Heritage Park, including gold panning. Site inspections included Goldfield Suites and Legacy Te Waonui Hotel in Franz Josef. Activities continued with a kayak and walk tour with Franz Josef Wilderness Tours, lunch at Matheson Cafe, and a guided walk around Lake Matheson with Glacier Valley Eco Tours. The group inspected Te Weheka Retreat Fox Glacier and visited the Waiho Hot Tubs in Franz Josef. Dinner and accommodation were at Rainforest Retreat.
The following day, half the group took a shuttle with Glacier Shuttles & Charters to Fox Glacier for a Flying Fox Heli Hike, while the other half did a Franz Josef Heli Hike. The group then inspected Punga Grove, 58 on Cron Motels, Ross Beach TOP10 Holiday Park, and experienced the West Coast Treetop Walk & Tower Zipline. Site inspections followed at Hokitika Fire Station Boutique Accommodation, Woodland Glen, and Rimu Lodge. Dinner was at Woodstock Hotel, with overnight stays split between Hokitika Fire Station Boutique Accommodation and Rimu Lodge.
The final days included breakfast at the Beachfront Hotel, cycling the West Coast Wilderness Trail with Kiwi Journeys West Coast, lunch at Hotel Lake Brunner, and a visit to Maruia Hot Springs for bathing, dinner, and overnight accommodation. The trip concluded with departure from Christchurch International Airport.
This famil was experienced by agents from the below accounts:
Friendly Planet - North America
AUNZ Holidays - Australia
Vayu Seva Tours & Travel (P) Ltd - India
Creo Travel - UK/Europe
Cercle de Vacances - UK/Europe
Australia Tours - UK/Europe
Virtuoso - Australia/India
Blue Planet Explorers - India