DTZ finds premises for House of Travel

DTZ finds premises for new experience based travel concept in Parnell

House of Travel (HOT) has recently opened new premises at 161 Parnell Road, a character building opposite Heard Park, found for the company by DTZ Auckland's Bud Hedrick who researched options and facilitated the lease.

Launching what is to be a first in terms of a new experience based travel concept, House of Travel Experience brings together the organisation's corporate operation and its Parnell retail and commercial travel outlet into one store making it one of the largest travel concepts under one roof in New Zealand.

"It took five months to find exactly the right property to suit the concept," says Bud Hedrick, "HOT spent considerable time exploring possible sites for what will, in effect, be their flagship store."

The site was ultimately chosen because of its situation in relation to traffic and pedestrian flows and because of its double street frontage and the building depth which allows for an open office environment without splitting people over multiple levels.

The new travel concept follows a series of consumer research studies which revealed an opportunity to create a more relationship-based experience - a factor that has become increasingly important to key targets in the travel industry.

"Our research told us what customers want from a travel agency," says Owner Operator Adam Berry. "We uncovered a perception that the service offered by most travel agents tends to be similar - the customer is situated behind a counter or desk, they talk to a consultant who hands them a brochure and away they go."

"One of the interesting things that came out of our research was an understanding that the concept of 'old luxury' viewed in terms of tangible objects like expensive cars or jewellery, is giving way to the concept of 'new luxury' which is strongly correlated with an entire experience.

As a result, the new concept is relationship-based offering its customers the opportunity to receive a level of service that goes way beyond product or package purchase.

The premises comprise approximately 470 sqm of floor space and the building underwent a major refurbishment to enable House of Travel Experience to open in December.

ENDS

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