Welcome to the new Scenic Hotel Group

This year Scenic Circle Hotels are undergoing some exciting developments. After being in the hotel business for more than 25 years, they want to cater to their guests in the best possible way. That’s why they’ve changed their name from Scenic Circle Hotels to Scenic Hotel Group, and dividing their hotels into two new brands.

Heartland hotels are more regionally based, offering an iconic kiwi experience and value for money. Scenic hotels and suites are more major centre or resort based, with an international flavour catering for the business traveller. Still proudly 100% New Zealand owned and operated, we continue to offer genuine Kiwi hospitality.

They have come out with three great June weekend specials to celebrate the month of this launch, exclusively through Executive Travel.

• $89 per night including GST to stay at any Heartland Hotel.  With properties in Blenheim, Christchurch, Queenstown, Gore and the West Coast
• $109 per night including GST to stay at any Scenic Hotel  With properties in the Bay of Islands, Auckland, Napier, Dunedin and the West Coast
• $119 per night including GST to stay at any Scenic Suites.  With properties in Christchurch and Queenstown

For more details on these great rates contact your Executive Travel consultant.

Kids fly, eat, stay & play in Dubai free with Emirates

In a never-before-seen offer, treat your kids to a fantastic holiday in Dubai this winter. Simply book a package to Dubai and your children will fly, stay, eat and play for free*. Available from 15th May to 20th September 2009, this amazing offer includes a complimentary return flight to Dubai for one child under 16 years of age travelling with both parents. What’s more, up to two children are also entitled to complimentary accommodation and meals.

And that’s not all, they’ve got a special surprise for them. Free entry to nine of Dubai’s most exciting children’s attractions. Emirates also have a surprise for you. You can shop the world with fantastic discounts and bargains at The Dubai Mall.

And between 11th June and 14th August 2009, enjoy the region’s biggest and most celebrated summer event - Dubai Summer Surprises. Dubai Summer Surprises offers non-stop celebration of fun-filled family activities and surprises, with live entertainment, music, games, ice skating, movies, competitions and more.

So whether you’re stopping over for just a few days, relaxing for a week or planning to stay even longer, you’ll find a family holiday rich in adventure, shopping, sports, leisure and fine dining. Talk to your Executive Travel Consultant for more details.

Avis deals

Avis has some great deals on offer for your next holiday. Get two day’s FREE* when you rent a car for 6 days or more, or Rent a car for 8 days or more and get $100 dollars off your rental*. Plus, when you rent with Avis you will also receive our Avis DriveSaver booklet, which gives you up to $1500 savings on activities, hotels, and attractions throughout New Zealand. *terms and conditions apply – contact us for details

Tahiti Temptation

Tahiti and her collection of paradise islands offer you the ultimate Pacific island vacation. Here you will be greeted with the traditional welcome of Tahiti - ‘Ia ora na’. Spend a week basking in the warmth of a secluded, sugar-white beach. Soak up the sun from a deckchair from your divine beachside resort. Explore lagoons of breathtaking clarity with waters teeming with rainbows of tropical marine life. The newly opened Manava Suite Resort Tahiti promises to be the premier Papeete resort and is offering a fantastic 5 night package from $1295 pp share twin. Click here for details.

Qantas Exit Row Fee

Qantas is planning to introduce an option for economy class passengers to pre-book seats in emergency exit rows, which have more legroom. The costs are yet to be finalised but will probably cost AUD80 on short sectors and AUD160 on longer sectors. Qantas Frequent Flyers will be able to buy the seats for 10,000 or 20,000 points, respectively. The option is not available on transtasman routes.

Singapore Airlines Mobile Check-In

Singapore Airlines passengers can now check-in and choose their seat via their mobile phone from anywhere in the world with SIA Mobile. Travellers can also check-in for connecting flights on other carriers Singapore Airlines has a check-in agreement with, if the connection is from a Singapore Airlines operated flight. To use, all you need to do is key in 'm.singaporeair.com' into the web browser of your mobile and follow instructions.

Qantas Group NZ Domestic Changes

Qantas has operated its last New Zealand domestic service on 09 June and Jetstar has commenced New Zealand domestic services. As a result the following changes have been made:

Qantas Clubs - New Zealand Domestic -The Qantas Club Domestic Lounges in AKL, WLG and CHC will remain open and available for eligible customers travelling on Jetstar New Zealand domestic services. Eligibility is extended to Chairman's Lounge members, Platinum and Gold Qantas Frequent Flyers and Qantas Club Members. All of the usual Qantas Club facilities will remain except that there will no longer be a check-in facility in the Qantas Club Domestic Lounges. Customers travelling on Jetstar will need to use the Jetstar check-in facility within the check-in concourse.

Jetstar's New Zealand Domestic network will cover AKL, WLG, CHC and ZQN. The change means the Qantas Group will no longer offer services to Rotorua.

Oh what a night in Melbourne

Jersey Boys - The story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Broadway's multi award-winning smash hit musical, opens on 4 July at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne. Packages include return Economy Class airfare to Melbourne from Auckland, 3 nights accommodation at selected properties and Jersey Boys ‘A’ Reserve Ticket. (Pricing based on Tuesday – Thursday Evening Performance). Priced from $799pp twin share. Contact your Executive Travel consultant for more details on show packages.

In this issue:

Kids fly, eat, stay & play in Dubai free with Emirates

Avis deals

Tahiti Temptation

Qantas Exit Row Fee

Singapore Airlines Mobile Check-In

Qantas Group NZ Domestic Changes

Oh what a night in Melbourne

Latest News:

Great Singapore Sale Returns
The 16th annual Great Singapore Sale runs from 29 May until 26 July, offering retail discounts – up to 70% and more – off everything from designer fashion to streetwear, jewellery to handbags, electronics to toys, music to homewares and everything in between. Those visiting Singapore during the Great Singapore Sale will also enjoy the benefits of the GSS Tourist Privilege Card offering a range of discounts and special promotions on shopping and attractions. Those also shopping with their Mastercard (the GSS sponsor) will receive added benefits. Click here for more information.

Chocolate Carnival
The annual Dunedin Cadbury Chocolate Carnival this year takes place 11- 17 July. Among the highlights is the Jaffa Race, which will see 30,000 Jaffas rolling down Baldwin Street, the world’s steepest street. The carnival, now in its ninth year, includes a hot chocolate ceremony, chocolate fishing, chocolate facials, Crunchie train, choc-art of creativity classes and chocology with choctherapist Murray Langham. Cadbury World is open to the public for tours year round where visitors go behind the scenes of a working chocolate factory.

Jetstar's Gold Coast Lounge
Jetstar has taken over the former Qantas lounge at Gold Coast Airport and will open its new lounge 15 June. The 120 - passenger lounge will have a children's play area, cinema, free refreshments and entertainment area with internet, movies and TV. A special introductory rate to 30 June applies (AUD5 pre-paid and AUD10 at the door), subject to availability.

Melbourne City Circle Tram Route Extended
The City Circle Tram which provides a free and convenient way for you to see the sights of Melbourne has been extended to take in the popular New Quay and Waterfront City precincts of the Melbourne Docklands. You can catch the free City Circle Tram at any tram stop shown on the route. Trams run in both directions approximately every 12 minutes between 10am and 6pm Sun to Wed and between 10am and 9pm every Thu, Fri and Sat. For more details click here