Survey Shows Kiwis Opt For North Over South

Survey Shows Kiwis Planning Short Breaks Opt For North Over South

54% of Kiwis prefer to take a short break in the North Island

Auckland, 13 April 2010 – New research from Expedia.co.nzTM, operated by Expedia, Inc., the world’s largest online travel company, shows that when it comes to taking ‘short breaks’, most Kiwis choose the North Island over the South of New Zealand. The survey*, conducted among 500 New Zealanders, showed that while almost nine out of ten respondents are planning a short break this year, the vast majority (54%) of those will choose to do so within the North Island. And while almost half (51%) of respondents are willing to travel over four hours by car, train or bus to reach their short-break destination, only a few (22%) chose to fly irrespective of where they short-break.

Prompted by these findings, Louise Crompton, marketing manager of Expedia.co.nz, said that with so many great short-break destinations within a short flying distance, Kiwis were missing out by limiting their holiday horizons to just the northern part of New Zealand.

“Taking a short break is a fantastic opportunity to re-charge the batteries and New Zealanders are spoiled for choice with so many great destinations only a short flight from their cities. And it’s so easy to organise: with Expedia.co.nz, travellers have a one-stop shop for all their travel needs providing them choice and flexibility to suit their schedules”, Ms Crompton said.

“When thinking about where they spend their short breaks, New Zealanders should look further afield than the North Island of New Zealand and take the opportunity to explore parts of the country that they are not familiar with. Alternatively, there are many great international destinations just on our doorstep, like the Pacific Islands and Australia, which are only three to four hours’ flight away,” she said.

The Expedia.co.nz survey revealed that just over a half (52%) of respondents define a ‘short break’ as one of three nights’ duration or less, while one fifth (20%) believe a short break is up to six nights.

Other findings revealed:

• Love is in the air for middle aged Kiwis as 38% of 35 to 44 year-olds admit to short-breaking for romance
• Men are twice as concerned as women about the backlog of work upon their return from a short break (12% compared to 6%)
• Women are more concerned about the overall cost of a short-break (59% compared to 50% for men)
• More than one in ten (12%) respondents take more than five short break holidays per year with 52% of Kiwis taking between one and two
• The biggest motivators for taking a short break holiday were relaxation (43%), to spend time with family (32%) and to attend a special event (14%) such as a wedding
• 18 – 24 year olds are twice as likely to take a short break within their own city compared to the national average.

Expedia.co.nz’s Top Short Break Holidays (domestic and international)

Queenstown

Adrenaline junkies will love a Queenstown adventure holiday with lots of activities designed to get your heart racing. Home to the world’s first bungy jump, adrenaline seekers can also try heli-skiing and sky swinging. For the less adventurous, Queenstown is home to great local produce and you can sample some award winning Otago wines. Queenstown also has an established art scene with art markets operating each Saturday at Steamer Wharf.

Expedia recommends staying at:

Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown
4*
From $100 per room per night
Visit Expedia.co.nz or call 0800 998 630 to book a stay at the Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown.

Rotorua
Looking for something different for a long weekend? Then head to Rotorua. With a growing spa culture the renowned hot springs of Rotorua are a must if you’re looking for some R&R. Rotorua is a great place to learn more about the Maori culture. Visit the Te Puia and the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute or witness the living museum of the village of Te Wairoa, which was destroyed during the eruption of Mt Tarawera in 1886.

Expedia recommends staying at:

Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua
4*
From $101 per room per night
Visit Expedia.co.nz or call 0800 998 630 to book a stay at the Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua.

Napier
For those fascinated by architecture, Napier has a vast array of beautifully presented Art Deco buildings thanks largely to the restoration work done by the Art Deco Trust following the earthquake of 1931. Napier is also well known for its wines and there are some fantastic local wineries to visit. For breathtaking views of Hawke’s Bay you can scale the Te Mata peak with 360 degree views of beautiful scenery.

Expedia recommends staying at:

Scenic Hotel Te Pania
4*
From $139 per room per night
Visit Expedia.co.nz or call 0800 998 630 to book a stay at the Scenic Hotel Te Pania.

Dunedin
Dunedin is a nature lover’s playground. Just 30 minutes from the CBD is an abundance of unique New Zealand wildlife, with animals such as the yellow eyed penguin, fur seals, sea lions and the only mainland breeding colony of albatross. For a real taste of New Zealand scenery you can participate in the Central Oatgo Rail Trail, which is a four day cycling tour ending in Queenstown or returning to Dunedin. Before leaving a visit to New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle is a must.

Expedia recommends staying at:

Mercure Dunedin Leisure Lodge
4*
From $119 per room per night
Visit Expedia.co.nz or call 0800 998 630 to book a stay at the Mercure Dunedin Leisure Lodge.

Tropical North Queensland, Australia
Whether you’re looking to fly and flop or a bit of adventure in Australia, a visit to Tropical North Queensland is a great winter short break destination. Aside from the beautiful resorts and spas, perfect for those looking for some R&R, visitors can also get out and explore the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest or check out the world’s largest sand island, Fraser Island. For those looking for something different try white-water rafting in the wild Tully River or, skydiving over the Coral Sea.

Expedia recommends staying at:

Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns
5*
From $333 per room per night
Visit Expedia.co.nz or call 0800 998 630 to book a stay at the Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina in Cairns.

Tasmania, Australia
If you’re looking to see a different side of Australia, Hobart is a great base from which to explore The ‘Apple Isle’, as Tasmania is fondly referred to. Home to artist studios, galleries and excellent restaurants Salamanca Place, in Hobart is a great spot to spend a lazy few days. Or for a view from the water, kayak along the shores of historic Battery Point, with Mount Wellington towering in the background. Get into the great outdoors in The Huon Valley, a 40-minute drive from Hobart, and also good for kayaking, sailing, white-water rafting or jet boating. For wine connoisseurs visit the wineries of the Tamar Valley, a day trip from Hobart and Tasmania’s principle wine producing region.

Expedia recommends staying at:

The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel Hobart
4.5*
From $178 per room per night
Visit Expedia.co.nz or call 0800 998 630 to book a stay at the Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel in Hobart.

Adelaide and surrounds, South Australia, Australia
For those looking to immerse themselves in the rich art and culture of Australia, visit South Australia and stroll along North Terrace - Adelaide's cultural boulevard. For wine buffs or the enthusiastic amateur, Adelaide is a great base from which to explore some of Australia’s foremost wineries, located in the Barossa Valley, Clare Valley and McLaren Vale, all just an hour or so by car from the city centre. Some notable ones to visit include Petaluma’s at Bridgewater Mill, Hahndorf Hill Winery and Shaw and Smith.

Expedia recommends staying at:

Stamford Plaza Adelaide
4*
From $211 per room per night
Visit Expedia.co.nz or call 0800 998 630 to book a stay at the Stamford Plaza Adelaide.

Fiji
A perennial hot spot for Kiwi tourists of all ages, Fiji is the ultimate South Pacific destination. It’s only a three-hour flight from Auckland and is perfect for all types of travellers. With a choice of 333 islands, some uninhabited, there are many once in a lifetime experiences to have such as swimming with manta rays, gliding down the river on a bamboo raft known as a bilibili or witnessing the traditional Meke shows, complete with Beqa firewalkers. Fiji has accommodation for every budget. Denarau Island is often the most popular, with a large selection of five-star resorts at affordable prices.

Expedia recommends staying at:

Radisson Resort Fiji, Denarau Island
4.5*
From $225 per room per night
Visit Expedia.co.nz or call 0800 998 630 to book a stay at the Radisson Resort Fiji Denarau Island.

New Caledonia
New Caledonia is a picture-perfect setting for a romantic short getaway with a French flavour. The white sandy beaches and pristine blue waters are as inviting as the friendly locals. There are a number of islands close to the capital Noumea, while the fabled Isle of Pines is often referred to as the Jewel of the Pacific.

Expedia recommends staying at:

Hotel Le Lagon, Noumea
3.5*
From $199 per room per night
Visit Expedia.co.nz or call 0800 998 630 to book a stay at the Hotel Le Lagon in Noumea.

Vanuatu
Vanuatu is a charming destination filled with many one-of-a-kind activities and postcard-like beaches. You can visit the world’s most accessible active volcano on the island of Tanna or witness a Banyan tree which is the size of a football field. Depending on which time of year you travel, you can be privy to many traditional events such as the Pentecost Land Dive or the Tanna Toka dance.

Expedia recommends staying at:

Poppys On The Lagoon, Port Vila
3.5*
From $262 per room per night
Visit Expedia.co.nz or call 0800 998 630 to book a stay at the Poppys On The Lagoon in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

-Ends-

© Scoop Media