SKAL Auckland has a new president after yesterday’s AGM despite the absence of the traditional handing over of the presidential chains yesterday.

The chains were ‘being fixed’ and the handover will happen at the travel industry fellowship organisation’s next lunch – at Mama Mia restaurant in March.

Having ‘another player’ in the upper-end of the cruising market is exciting New Zealand travel agents and was a factor in attracting some 120 of them to a ship inspection in Auckland over the last two days.

Viking Sun is continuing its New Zealand journey now, with stops in Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

A busy year for Brand USA culminated in an end-of-year celebration at Dr Rudi’s Roof Top Bar in Auckland earlier this week, hosted by Wayne Mitcham, account manager and Matt Fletcher, director.

• Alisha Palin and Lisa Milne,... Alisha Palin and Lisa Milne,...
• Wayne Mitcham, Brand USA with... Wayne Mitcham, Brand USA with...
• Amanda North and Hayley Willis,... Amanda North and Hayley Willis,...
• Jay Soysa, Aim Holidays; Jacqui... Jay Soysa, Aim Holidays; Jacqui...
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Haka Hotel K’Road Apartments officially opened in 2 Day Street, Auckland (just off Karangahape Rd) last week, the property already reporting success in the corporate market as well as with customers from its own Haka Black Tours.
Chris Bain, sales manager with Haka Tourism Group, says the hotel is also registering early interest from New Zealanders and overseas visitors attending events, as well as having a profile with travel management companies that is starting to bring early results.

While the hotel is essentially self contained apartment style, Bain points out that breakfast boxes can be supplied and grocery deliveries arranged on behalf of guests. Special rates for parking and at the local gymnasium are also available.
The opening was celebrated with a Powhiri, site inspections and a function that spanned three rooms in the hotel.
Ryan Sanders, founder of the Haka Tourism Group, says 2017 was a big year for the company that saw it bringing on a number of new staff. The next big development is the imminent opening of the second Haka Hotel in Newmarket, Auckland.

• Briar Lowry and Joelle Gagnon,... Briar Lowry and Joelle Gagnon,...
• Dan Wilde and Tony Shen,... Dan Wilde and Tony Shen,...
• Yvette Holden, MitoQ; Amy Wickliffe,... Yvette Holden, MitoQ; Amy Wickliffe,...
• Hannah Barnell, accommodation general manager... Hannah Barnell, accommodation general manager...
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Global Travel Network (GTN) took 50 agents and about the same number of suppliers and other partners out for a rooftop function at 51 Shortland Street in Auckland on Tuesday.

• Steve Avery, Birgit Kaider, both... Steve Avery, Birgit Kaider, both...
• Zinia Pesuna, Air New Zealand;... Zinia Pesuna, Air New Zealand;...
• Mariana Prunera, GTN Ticketing; Lily... Mariana Prunera, GTN Ticketing; Lily...
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