B&B conference swinging into Wellington –
Bed and breakfast hosts will get ‘Back in the Swing’ of business at their upcoming national conference with a program packed with valuable information about operating in a post-pandemic market.
The two-day Vision Insurance B&B Conference’s fantastic speaker line-up features professionals from within the accommodation sector and inspiration from outside the sector. The conference – the first since 2020 – is themed Back in the Swing and also includes workshops and plenty of networking with other B&B owners and support services. Delegates will also have an opportunity to enjoy the tourism experiences available in Wellington.
The conference takes place at the Copthorne Oriental Bay, Wellington, 19-21 June 2023. It begins on 19 June with a Travel Trade Afternoon which will facilitate connections between B&B operators and inbound tour operators. Participants will include bed and breakfasts, homestays, farm stays, luxury accommodations, self-catering properties as well as small commercial sized bed and breakfasts.
On June 20-21, a series of top-level speakers will share insights on tourism trends and inspiration for B&B operators. Speakers include Tourism Minister Peeni Henare, Wellington Deputy Mayor Laurie Foon, Tourism New Zealand’s Bjoern Spreitzer, Tourism Export Council’s Lynda Keene and Tourism Industry Aotearoa’s Rebecca Ingram.
“We know B&B operators like to hear from local businesses who are being innovative, so we will have presentations from Te Papa and a fascinating story from East by West Ferries,” association president Donna Brooke said.
“And our conference would not be complete without hearings from some of our own. There will be interesting presentations from some B&B operators who are doing more than accommodation.”
A series of interactive workshops will round out the formal conference programme, with digital marketing agency Tomahawk and the Tourism Export Council among those leading the workshops. A full complement of trade stands will also be available for delegates to visit.
A highlight of the conference will be the Vision Insurance Gala Awards Dinner where the annual B&B Business Excellence Awards will be presented.
“We put our awards program on hold in 2022 so there is much excitement at this renewed opportunity to celebrate the best businesses in our sector,” Ms Brooke said.
For more information about the conference and registration, go to: 2023 CONFERENCE, Bed & Breakfast Association (bandbassociation.co.nz)
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry Called ‘Cheap’ For Skipping Hotel After Carlyle Allegedly Refused Discount
KEY POINTS
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle allegedly stayed at a friend’s home while in New York City
- A law enforcement source claimed the Sussexes asked the Carlyle hotel for a discount but got rejected
- A security expert said the couple would have benefited from staying at a hotel instead of a private residence
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were involved in a car chase with paparazzi because they didn’t stay at a hotel during their recent trip to New York City, reports have claimed.
Unnamed law enforcement sources told the New York Post’s Page Six that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stayed at a friend’s house on the Upper East Side during their visit to New York City this week after they were roughly refused a discounted room at a hotel. International Business Times could not independently verify this information.
Ahead of their trip, Markle and Prince Harry allegedly asked the Carlyle, his mother Princess Diana’s favorite hotel, to give them a room at a discounted price, but the hotel’s bosses allegedly refused, the law enforcement sources claimed.
As they were staying at a private residence, the sources claimed Prince Harry and Markle didn’t want to lead photographers to their friend’s home when they were pursued by numerous paparazzi after leaving Manhattan’s Ziegfeld Theater Tuesday night.
Due to this, the duke and duchess were involved in what their spokesperson described as a “near-catastrophic car chase” with “highly aggressive” paparazzi that lasted “over two hours.”
“They should have just gotten a hotel for the safety of everyone. Instead, they were cheap and wanted a free place to stay,” one New York City law enforcement source told the outlet. “Harry and Meghan’s people called the Carlyle ahead of the trip and asked for a discounted room, and the hotel said no.”
“If they had just paid up and got a hotel in the first place, this supposedly ‘dangerous’ paparazzi chase around town would never have happened. They would have been driven back to the Carlyle, been photographed going inside and that would have been the end of it,” the source confessed.
The duke and duchess have stayed at the Carlyle, where room prices range from $1,240 to $6,000 a night, in the past. They previously checked into the hotel during a trip to New York City in 2021.
Security expert Mark Selden also suggested that Prince Harry and Markle could have avoided security troubles had they stayed at a nearby hotel instead of a private residence.
“There is security, doormen, porters and staff,” the AllStar Security president told Fox News Digital of why the couple would have benefited from spending the night at a hotel. “You have built-in safety. If anyone breaks in, you have your own security based on your own floor, standing outside your door or situated in the rooms next door to you or across the hall. You are essentially in a fortress.”
Selden, who has spent 20 years providing professional security to wealthy clients in Manhattan, added, “You cannot have the same security staying in a residential townhouse.”
Markle and Prince Harry claimed they were chased by photographers in a “relentless” pursuit after leaving the 2023 Women of Vision Awards, where the former “Suits” star was honored for her advocacy work Tuesday night.
However, some have expressed doubt over their claims of being involved in a car chase in New York City, including netizens and celebrities such as Whoopi Goldberg.
“Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were followed by paparazzi while leaving the Ziegfeld Theatre. Their spokesperson called it a ‘near-catastrophic car chase,'” Goldberg said on Thursday’s “The View.” “Others said it wasn’t bad, but I think people in New York know if it was possible to have car chases in New York, we’d all make it to the theater on time.”
She added, “We’re dealing with aggressive paparazzi. It just doesn’t work in New York.”
Her co-host Sunny Hostin, however, defended the Sussexes, noting that the couple never claimed it was a “high-speed” car chase. “If they feel scared, I will grant them that,” she added.
Disappointment at APTR decision –
The accommodation industry has expressed its disappointment with the Supreme Court ruling that the Auckland Council’s Accommodation Provider Targeted Rate (APTR) funding for tourism is valid.
The contentious hotel bed tax was introduced in 2017 by the Auckland Council to boost tourism funding and has now been given the green light after being suspended in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the hospitality economy.
Hospitality New Zealand’s Accommodation Association Lead & Sector Chair, Troy Clarry, says the decision to overturn the Court of Appeal ruling will have long-term implications for operators; not only for Auckland but probably throughout New Zealand.
“The APTR, as proposed by the council, is unfair, inappropriate and simply does not work – Covid-19 proved that beyond all doubt.
“It did not work as intended and now Auckland has no funding for marketing and events, inevitably affecting New Zealand’s ability to attract major events going forward. But this ruling is the end of the matter and we now need to move forward.
“We pleaded with other local councils around New Zealand to work with the industry on models similar to the fairer funding model for destination marketing that has worked on with Tataki Auckland Unlimited and the wider tourism sector since the Court of Appeal ruling 18 months back.
“This is well advanced and covers the wider industry on a much fairer basis, and we ask other councils to look at what is being done and work with local tourism operators on similar models.
“At the same time we also ask the Government to work with us to develop a centralized funding model.
“This is urgent – not just for the industry but also for the benefits tourism can provide to the whole economy – GtDP, tax take, GST, branding etc.
“We still have a concern around targeted rates in general, and our concern with this ruling is that councils around New Zealand will now be tempted to implement targeted rates, not just for tourism but for other sectors going forward.
“So, we urge councils to work with the sector to find alternative fair, reasonable, and nationally endorsed funding models for tourism.
“Ultimately, we want to solve the funding for tourism problems, and this needs central government involvement.
“The hospitality and accommodation sector has always been willing to work with councils and the government, and we think this is the perfect time to do that. But it needs to be done quickly because we’re already falling behind competitively in international tourism and our ability to attract travelers from abroad.”
The Supreme Court ruling, released on May 12 determined that the APTR was reasonable and complied with the legislation in the Local Government Act 2002.
Budget unbalanced overall says Hospitality New Zealand –
Budget 2023 does not do enough to further support small businesses and contains little acknowledgment of the current economic environment’s impact on business in general, says Hospitality New Zealand.
Chief Executive Julie White said there were some helpful moves on the budget, but overall, it was a disappointment.
“The additional $17.6 million, over five years, of funding for the Major Events Fund to support the ongoing attraction of major events to Aotearoa will be welcomed by the sector.
“This is essential for us to attract big events and add immense vibrancy to our main centers, driving tourism and economic spending.
“We also support the Tourism ITP funding announcement and the importance of placing it in great workplaces and training our staff. It’s important to ensure operators’ voices are heard in this process, and we look forward to contributing to the development of the ITP.”
“And the funding for ongoing recovery from the North Island weather events, to help the affected regions get back on their feet, will be welcomed by businesses in those areas.
“But, on balance, there is little for most New Zealand businesses in this Budget.
“Businesses are right now in the grip of a real cost crisis, and although some sectors may have received some support, small businesses in particular will continue to struggle without tangible support for workforce and costs.
“Despite big increases in wages across the economy, that has not translated to increased productivity.
“Funding for the Tourism Industry Transformation Plan is unlikely to influence productivity in the tourism sector.”
Training investment leads RANZ’ Budget wish list –
The Restaurant Association of New Zealand has produced its own budget wish list ahead of Thursday’s 2023 financial announcements from the Government.
“While the hospitality industry itself is leading the long-term work that will make our sector more resilient, we also know that ongoing skills shortages, increased costs of doing business and the ever-changing regulatory environment only add to the pressures we have experienced over the past three years.
“Increased investment in training to address the national skills shortage is one of our top priorities, so we would like to see investment in work-based training initiatives, to both fill the immediate skills gaps that we are facing and up the skills of New Zealanders at the same time,” said Marisa Bidois, CEO of the Restaurant Association.
“This means investing in hospitality apprenticeships and other on-the-job training schemes. This would help to alleviate the immediate pressures on our industry, and assist us to prepare for the future.
“Alongside the training we would like to see an increase in investment in supporting hospitality as an industry. The regulatory environment for our industry is constantly changing and with so many small businesses making up our industry, it’s more important than ever that the Government understands the impact of these changes on business owners.
For that reason, as tourist numbers finally start to reach (and even exceed) pre-pandemic levels, our hospitality businesses are being left without the staff numbers to remain open and meet the demands of the influx of holiday-makers.. Ensuring the regulatory environment is conducive to productivity and business growth while still prioritizing the well-being of employees and consumers remains a top priority.
“Promotion of New Zealand to the world as a place to work, as well as study and travel, is something that we are keen to see investment in. As tourist numbers finally start to reach (and even exceed) pre-pandemic levels, our hospitality businesses are being left without the staff numbers to remain open and meet the demands of the influx of holiday-makers.
“We are glad that infrastructure development is a priority for this budget. Ensuring that our businesses and communities are resilient in the face of future natural disasters is of the utmost importance.
“There are other areas that we would like to invest in for example community policing to keep our cities and communities, staff and businesses safe; or lowering GST (and removing it from food items altogether) which will benefit both the food services industry and the public at a time when the cost of living is skyrocketing.
“While we won’t know exactly which initiatives will be funded until the Budget is announced, we remain hopeful that the Government’s investment in skills, science and infrastructure is a good sign for our sector, through the priorities that we’ve identified in our 2023 election manifesto.”
West Auckland Trust plans $40m investment with 10 new hospitality venues –
A $40 million plus investment over the next five years to expand the hospitality and retail infrastructure of one of NZ’s largest population centers is set to help address future demand from increased housing density and regeneration around transport hubs.
West Auckland has a population of 311,000+ spread over a 578 km2 area and is expected to grow by tens of thousands of residents over the coming years.
The Trusts, which has a community mandate to operate liquor licenses in the region, is aiming to grow annual revenues by 23% to $160 million within five years.
According to a new five-year strategic plan released today, as part of the largest capital expenditure in The Trusts’ 50-year history, the organization aims to open up to ten new hospitality venues and retail stores during the period.
The multimillion-dollar investment is also believed to be one of the largest for the sector in recent years and is seen as a sign of returning confidence in the industry – following the impact of the pandemic.
The planned venues will range in size from 50 to 500m2 and are expected to introduce innovative new restaurant and bar concepts and provide additional sites to match the projected population growth in suburbs throughout the region.
Allan Pollard, CEO of The Trusts, says West Auckland has seen significant population growth in recent years and a new contemporary hospitality model will be launched as a result of feedback from the local community.
He says one in every seven new residents moving to the area is either new to New Zealand or new to Auckland.
“Within the next three decades, the North Western suburbs of Auckland are expected to see an additional 100,000 people move to the area, equivalent to the population of Dunedin, and there is an urgent need to initiate a significant development program to introduce hospitality and retail infrastructure that is targeted to the evolving demographics of the area.
“What we know about the arrival of new residents to the region is that they have different experiences and expectations of hospitality models than what has been available in the West to date.
“To accommodate this emerging segment of the market, we are looking at a number of offerings ranging from boutiques, pop-up bars and restaurant-led gastro pubs within walking distance of public transport hubs and major apartment complexes through to large scale venues which can accommodate up to 300 people.
“We also hope that this move will benefit New Zealand’s craft beer industry as we bring in new concepts such as the creation of a new Garage Project bar inside one of our retail outlets,” he said.
Pollard says they intend to increase the number of its retail and hospitality venues and also upgrade each of its existing outlets by 2028. They also plan to increase the number of patrons they can accommodate at their venues by a third.
He says the investment will also be a boost for local employment with The Trusts, already the second largest employer in West Auckland, looking to grow its staff numbers by 10% to around 400.
Pollard says the projected increase in revenue will also allow the social enterprise to target the return of $5 million to local community groups each year, through its charity support programmes.
Cauliflower star vege in 2023 NSSCC competition! –
Mashed, roasted, au Gratin, casserole, made into soups, pizza bases and taco shells, you name it and the humble cauliflower has co-operated!
And this year it is the key ingredient in the National Secondary Schools’ Culinary Challenge.
Entries open on June 1, and close June 30 at the end of Term 2, for high school students to prepare and perfect the most delicious cauliflower entre dishes they can.
The National Secondary Schools Culinary Challenge is an annual event run by the Culinary Arts Development Trust. The competition is designed to encourage the next generation of culinary talent, provide career pathways for students, and to foster relationships between secondary schools and the hospitality sector.
The competition consists of two parts. Part one is a Regional Competition with judging held online. Part two sees the winners of each region travel to Auckland to compete in the National Final on September 6 at the Manukau Institute of Technology.
Each of the eight regional competition’s winning teams will participate in a live cook-off and experience the New Zealand Culinary Journey the following day. With a total prize package valued at over $11,000, the competition is highly competitive .
Super ideas for Mother’s Day Promos –
If you haven’t already fixed your marketing plan for Sunday May 14, take a look at these promotional ideas to grow your repeat business!
1) Promotions That Maximize the Entire Day
Brunch: Try a Little Trendiness
You can’t go wrong with omelette and waffle stations. But these trendy, menu-based Mother’s Day promotions are the way to her heart.
- Bottomless Mom-mosas: Just for Mum…it might be her dream come true. Serve mimosas in a mason jar or other special glassware she can take home.
- Avocado Toast Trio: Prep 3 variations of this trendy toast.
- Gourmet Yogurt Bars: From house-made granolas, to shaved chocolate – set out gourmet toppings and let Mum choose. It’s the brunch version of the sundae bar. Or prepare a Bloody Mary bar as one of your Mother’s Day promotions. Think crumbled bacon, fresh herbs, and hot sauces.
Mid-Afternoon High Tea, Dahling
When 2 pm hits, tap into the British tradition of high tea for your Mother’s Day promotions. Complete with tasty finger foods and an array of teas, it’s the perfect mother-daughter event. Use the BBC’s guide to high tea to plan an authentic tea time.
Farm-to-Table Prix Fixe Dinner
Fixed price menus make for popular Mother’s Day promotions at every meal. Guests love knowing how much they’ll spend in advance. Plus, limiting choices means your kitchen can work more efficiently (hello, faster table turn).
Create a special Mother’s Day dinner inspired by the farm-to-table trend. Focus on in-season, local fare.
2) Free Gifts for the Win
A little Mum-spoiling goes a long way in building loyalty. Show your appreciation with a small gift as part of your Mother’s Day promotions.
- Sweet Succulents: All the other restaurants will offer her a rose. Go trendy with a little potted succulent. Already ordered those roses? Print out a few lines of epic Mother’s Day poetry to go with each rose or plant.
- Treat Bag: Welcome Mums to your restaurant with a gift bag filled with chocolates. Ask nearby businesses if they’d like to include coupons or offers, too.
- Branded Merch: Send it home with a souvenir like a coffee mug or pint or wine glass with your logo. Each time she sips, she’ll see your logo – so these freebie Mother’s Day promotions are worth the investment..
3) Mother’s Day Promotions (That Bring Them Back)
For most restaurants, Mother’s Day is already a big business. Use the event to earn repeat business with these Mother’s Day promotions that bring ’em back:
- Mum’s Night Off Certificate: Create a free meal certificate that Mom can “redeem” any weeknight in May when she doesn’t want to cook. Of course, she’ll bring in the rest of the family.
- The Envelopes, Please: Give Mum a sealed envelope. She can bring back the envelope (in 2-3 weeks) for the server to open – and reveal her surprise offer. Include a free dessert or appetizer voucher. In a few envelopes, throw in a $10 or $15 gift card.
- Father’s Day Deal: Try Mother’s Day promotions that encourage guests to book future reservations – on the spot. For example, give a $25 credit if the family books their Father’s Day meal with you.
4) Cater to the Kids
The fastest way to Mum’s heart? Mother’s Day promotions that entertain her children at your restaurant. Translation: she’d love to sip that rosé in peace please, can you help make it happen? Here’s how to be mother’s little helper:
- Make Mum a Card: Hand out blank cards and crayons for kids. Ask them to play Picasso and make her a handmade card.
- Digital Arcade Games: This is one Mother’s Day gift that keeps on giving all year. Bring in restaurant tablets loaded with trivia and arcade games for both kids and adults.
- Mini Me Meals: “I’ll have what Mum is having, thank you very much.” Older kids have a thing for ordering from the grown-up menu. Cave into their demands by offering small portions of your main dishes.
