TRENZ trade fair, Rotorua
New Zealand will be hit hard by the growth of low-cost flights to the US following the deregulation of transatlantic routes, according to Travelmood marketing director Chris Lee.
He predicted fares would go “through the floor”, leading to renewed interest in holidays to the US at the expense of New Zealand.
“At the right price, the US has huge appeal. The country’s resurgence is a threat to New Zealand,” he said.
Air New Zealand international airline group manager Ed Sims agreed, adding that the domestic tourism industry had little awareness of the agreement’s potential impact.
“It is massively important. But it’s very distant to the trade here, and even the industry watchers aren’t really thinking about it,” he said.