(MENAFN Press) (EMAILWIRE.COM, November 19, 2012 ) San Francisco, CA --
Hoping to take advantage of the increase in air travelers during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, airlines are lowering prices to several destinations from New Zealand.
Several airlines in New Zealand are offering sales on destination airfare to several locales, including Australia, Europe, and Bali. These sales typically last only a couple of days and are, in some cases, several hundred dollars lower than normal fare prices.
For example, one local carrier, Virgin Australia, offered trips to Australia for 100 cheaper than their standard price, excluding taxes and fees. According to Brent Thomas, who is the retail director of House of Travel, this is the busiest season in the travel industry, especially for longer flights.
House of Travel research shows that in spite of a dip in retail spending, New Zealand residents are still expected to spend their hard-earned cash when it comes to taking their vacations.
Kiwis work bloody hard and the think they deserve a holiday, so they make sure they can budget for it, Thomas said.
An extended period of sending flights with empty seats is the impetus behind the sales, according to Thomas, although the sales will only last a short time until the holidays approach.
Discounted trips can be booked through early into 2013 on several carriers. For example, Emirates is offering reduced fares to all of its 33 European destinations served from New Zealand through Dubai. The sale continues until December 17 and covers the travel period from January 20 and March 31 of next year.
Airfare isn't the only mode of holiday travel being discounted as several cruise lines are offering reduced prices as well. For example, an 11-night cruise from New Zealand going to Italy, Morocco, Portugal, and Spain has been reduced by nearly 800 per couple by Cruiseabout. Discounts and free upgrades are being offered by other cruise lines as well.
Bali is becoming an increasingly popular destination for New Zealanders and, as a result, Air New Zealand has stated they will operate a second season of Auckland to Bali flights next year From June to October.
More than a third of our seats to Bali for the 2012 season sold within the first week, said Air New Zealand Group General Manager for Australasia Bruce Parton. We're expecting them to be incredibly popular once again.
