Former All Black Scott Roberston and Miss Italy Tania Zamparo are currently filming a documentary that will help promote the Rugby World Cup 2011 to Italians. This is the first of many positive spin offs of this huge event which is sure to help profile New Zealand as great holiday destination to new audiences. 8,700 Italians travelled to New Zealand in the year-ending February 2010. That number was up 7.3 per cent on the previous year, indicating the potential for growth from this market. Local newspaper The Press also ran this story.
Akaroa and Lyttelton News, Akaroa New Zealand, Lyttelton New Zealand
BLACK CAT AS A CHRISTCHURCH CORPORATE FUNCTION VENUE
18
Apr
Apr
We operate as a function venue for corporate events and recently held the launch of a new bourbon. Pictured here are the Bourbon Girls on the Canterbury Cat and here is the feedback from the organiser.
“Thanks so much for setting it up so that everything was super easy last night. The crew that were on went above and beyond to help us out and were a real pleasure to work with. Many Thanks Sarah.”
I have been really pleased to hear back from lots of our customers about their experiences with us. Our customer survey results look outstanding and once they are fully collated I will be sharing those with you. In the meantime, check out this awesome blog about a swimming trip and esp the video with a great ending…what an outstanding experience!
http://trackingteddy.blogspot.com/2010/03/swimming-with-dolphins.html
15
Apr
Apr
A special welcome back to Pip Journeaux who is once again the manager of our Akaroa operations. Pip was in the role 4 ½ years ago before she left to go on maternity leave. Previous manager, Liz Ditmer recently departed for a role at ATTTO.
Akaroa and Lyttelton News, Akaroa New Zealand, Black Cat News
SWIM WITH DOLPHINS WITHOUT GETTING WET
12
Apr
Apr
Dry suits are back for dolphin swimmers from the 1st of May. Customers just wear normal clothes underneath the suit and remain 100% dry. It’s a great piece of kit designed to keep you warm over the coming months.
Akaroa and Lyttelton News, Lyttelton New Zealand, Uncategorised
2000 EASTER EGGS FOUND ON QUAIL ISLAND
08
Apr
Apr
Our big Easter Egg hunt was a sell out and we managed to give away about 2000 eggs over the 4 days of the promotion. As it was so successful we will be repeating it again next year if you missed out.
05
Apr
Apr
Were you one of the ones that got taken in by our April fools day prank? There were plenty who did! If you missed it we announced that we were building a floating hotel and 18 hole golf course on Quail Island. Here are the details.
03
Apr
Apr
We’ve been cruising for nearly 25 years and over the last 12 months have seen more varieties of whales than ever before, including last weeks Blue Whale (pictured) and also Fin, Orca, Curviars beaked, Humpback, Pilot and Southern Right Whales, as well as the world’s smallest whale – the resident Hector’s dolphin. The blue whale is the largest animal that has ever lived on earth and is found in all major oceans of the world. Its population has been severely depleted to commercial whaling. Today estimates have their population at between 500 and 2000 in Southern Hemisphere waters.
31
Mar
Mar
For the second year running, Akaroa had success at the Ellerslie International Flower show with an exhibit featuring the Akaroa lighthouse. It won the Gold Award for National Flower bed plants. There were thousands on hand to admire the display manned by Black Cat sales manager Alison Fleming. In addition images of the lighthouse (pictured) featured in countless publications.
30
Mar
Mar
We continue to receive great reviews on line on the many blogs and review sites. This is great feedback and very important to our marketing efforts. Here is one of my favourites and is a great example of the power of positive blogging.
Here is a great blog from Michelle Acourt who did the Christchurch wildlife cruise recently when she was down for the buskers festival. Clearly Michelle had a great time and we have heard since that she has raved about her dolphin experience to others as the highlight of her trip to Christchurch, so no doubt she will spread the word in Auckland.