Discover Japan, don't just visit it
Go beyond the guidebook with a stress-free, all-inclusive tour.
Few international destinations hold as much allure for Kiwi travellers as Japan. It's hard to catch up with friends or scroll through Facebook without seeing someone in Japan, just back from Japan, planning a trip, or dreaming
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NZ Herald
12 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Discover Japan, don't just visit it
Shirakawa-go. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Shirakawa-go is a traditional village in the Japanese Alps famous for its Gassho-zukuri farmhouses, with steep thatched roofs designed to withstand heavy snowfall. Visiting feels like stepping into a fairytale, especially in winter or autumn. Go beyond the guidebook with a stress-free, all-inclusive tour. Few international destinations hold as much allure for Kiwi travellers as Japan. It's hard to catch up with friends or scroll through Facebook without seeing someone in Japan, just back from Japan, planning a trip, or dreaming
NZ Herald
a day ago
- NZ Herald
New Zealand tops global list in adventure tourism for young travellers
'It is good for travelling by van, bus or hitchhiking and also good for travelling on a budget. New Zealand has been named the top adventure destination worldwide for young thrill-seekers in a global study. Photo / 123rf 'Food and living costs are rather expensive, but there are many beaches, hikes, caves and viewpoints that are all freely accessible.' However, the need for a car to visit many of these spots was restricting. 'I think New Zealand is something for nature lovers and for backpackers who are open to discovering a country without much luxury,' Enzmann said. Industry operators also remain confident in Aotearoa's ability to draw adventure-loving customers. Intrepid Travel's NZ general manager Simon Mckearney said bookings from Australian and Kiwi customers were up more than 80% year-on-year. 'What's interesting is the mix of people choosing New Zealand – 65% are women and 51% are travelling solo. Hannah Enzmann, a 22-year-old German traveller, says New Zealand is "the perfect destination for young people who want to take their first big trip". Photo / Facebook 'The biggest groups are younger travellers aged 21 to 40 but we're also seeing strong interest from those over 50. 'New Zealand's appeal comes from its ability to offer meaningful, small group travel experiences that combine adventure with safety and cultural connection.' He pointed to trips crossing the Southern Alps and taking in Queenstown as examples that balance challenge and scenery while 'allowing travellers to connect with local communities'. Backpacker Youth Adventure Tourism Association board chairman Haydn Marriner said New Zealand's unique mix of extreme sports, hiking, water activities and wildlife experiences make it 'the perfect environment for young visitors'. But he warned more must be done to attract them, as youth travel to Australia outstrips New Zealand's numbers in raw figures and as a proportion of overall visitors. 'As an industry, we are worried that youth and adventure tourism have been under-resourced in favour of short-term, fast-growth sectors such as the luxury 'silver surfers' and Australian family markets,' Marriner said. The industry is concerned New Zealand is losing young visitors to Australia, says Backpacker Youth Adventure Tourism Association's board chairman Haydn Marriner. Photo / 123rf 'This has come at a cost, especially considering the youth market is proven to not only bring direct spending, but also years of return visitation and priceless international word-of-mouth through online and social media channels.' As the only country in the study to score 70 points, Aotearoa stood out for its abundance of scenic treks (34.56 per 100,000 visitors), water and land-based adventure sports, and commitment to safety. Metrics ranged from the number of hiking trails and beaches, to wildlife reserves, outdoor activities and other benchmarks that sway adventure chasers to one destination over another. The volume of social media posts that follow each tourist (1124.09 per 1000 international visitors) positioned New Zealand as a place people are eager to promote online. Rustic Pathways' chief executive Shayne Fitz-Coy said the best destinations combine outdoor activities, social media engagement and safety considerations. 'New Zealand stands out by offering teens a safe environment to push their boundaries through hiking, water sports and wildlife experiences. 'For parents planning their teens' next adventure trip, focusing on countries with strong safety records and diverse activity options provides the ideal balance of excitement and security.' Marriner said global studies like these that highlight New Zealand's attractiveness 'should be a catalyst for serious reinvestment and renewed focus on our youth and adventure sectors'. 'These visitors bring diversity, energy, and immense economic benefit, and they help secure New Zealand's place in the hearts and minds of future generations of global travellers.' Ten best adventure destinations for travellers aged 18-22: New Zealand (70/100) Brazil (62.7/100) Peru (62.39/100) Costa Rica (61.75/100) Belize (58.58/100) Finland (58.35/100) Australia (57.61/100) Chile (56.47/100) The Philippines (54.95/100) Iceland (54.91/100) Five least adventurous destinations for travellers aged 18-22: Saudi Arabia (23.78/100) China (30.82/100) Pakistan (31.69/100) Guyana (32.45/100) Turkey (32.91/100) Tom Rose is an Auckland-based journalist who covers breaking news, specialising in lifestyle, entertainment and travel. He joined the Herald in 2023.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Big interest in sale of 162-year-old hotel
Interest has been high in the Cardrona Hotel. PHOTO: SUPPLIED The listing for the iconic Cardrona Hotel has been the third-most viewed property on Trade Me this year as the sale comes to an end on Friday. The 162-year-old hotel and restaurant located between Wānaka and Queenstown went on the market over a month ago and has had over 130,000 views on Trade Me. A spokesperson for the auction site said this was the third-highest number of views they had seen all year right behind Christchurch's Ark House and Paul Henry's mansion in Auckland. Cardrona Hotel owners Cade and Alexis Thornton said they had narrowed their discussions down to eight groups, after receiving interested buyers from New Zealand, Australia, the United States and Singapore. "Each group are fantastic operators with a background in hospitality or hotels," Ms Thornton said. "Alexis and I are confident that we'll find a highly skilled and experienced publican who will do great things for the hotel." Trade Me Property spokeswoman Casey Wylde previously said although it would be difficult to estimate the price the hotel would be sold for, it was expected to sell for more than the average asking price in Wānaka, which was $1,558,950 last month. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Trade Me property customer director Gavin Lloyd said given the hotel has proved to be such a landmark, it would be hard to put a potential price tag on it. "Its charm, history and stunning location are undoubtedly driving its popularity. "The Cardrona Hotel is more than just a property, it's an opportunity to own a much-loved and recognised Kiwi icon." There has also been strong interest from global media, with the Cardrona Hotel appearing in the news around the world, from Australia to Iceland. "It has been really nice to see that almost all the interested parties already have an emotional connection to the hotel and have visited or stayed with us in the past," Mr Thornton said. Expressions of interest for the sale of the freehold going concern close at 4pm on Friday.
