Inspiring Journeys reports NZ uplift

Inspiring Journeys has reported a strengthening in sales of its New Zealand product, but admitted challenges remain as Australians continue to look further afield.

Managing director Tammy Marshall told Travel Today that New Zealand, like Australia, remained low on the list for travellers opting for short-haul overseas trips instead on the back of the strong dollar.

“Australians are still looking further afield,” she said. “But we are starting to see sales coming in now and we expect to get further traction over the coming months.”

Meanwhile, Inspiring Journeys has introduced two shorter itineraries to its series of Tasmania journeys, designed to cater to a trend for shorter domestic breaks.

“It’s a combination of people having less time, and the effect of the strong Aussie dollar,” Marshall said. “People are only willing to invest a certain amount of time in the domestic market.”

The five-day Isle of Azure journey, priced from $2750 per person, and the seven-day Unknown Wilderness Tour, from $3750, are designed to complement the existing 11-day Forgotten Coast itinerary, which had proven popular with the domestic market.

In addition, the firm is working to get its South Australian itinerary down to seven days to make it more appealing to travellers with limited time off work.

“Three and five day tours are selling very well, but seven days can also be done with limited time,” she said.
Marshall reported a good initial response to its program in the US, where it recently launched, with Europe next on the agenda for the fledgling brand.