Latest from Tourism & Leisure Industries

John Armstrong: National's SkyCity damage control

National's damage control strategy has been to try to paint Key's earlier contacts with SkyCity as perfectly normal, writes John Armstrong

Treasury's SkyCity advice ignored

Officials in one of Prime Minister John Key's departments disregarded Treasury advice to seek guidance in how to conduct SkyCity talks with honesty and integrity.

Heather Shotter: Let's tell the world what we're all about

The world knows us not only as New Zealand, but also as Aotearoa, the land of the long white cloud, Godzone, or - more recently - Middle-earth.

Select treatment for SkyCity won't stop deal

SkyCity got special treatment in its pitch to build the international convention centre - but nothing which will get in the way of a formal deal being struck.

SkyCity report critical of process

SkyCity got special treatment on talks around the international convention centre after the Prime Minister personally intervened.

Tourist spending lowest since 2001

The high New Zealand dollar has been partly blamed for a sharp dip in international visitor spending to its lowest level since 2001.

Key: Deal doesn't mean more pokies

Increasing pokie machine numbers at SkyCity doesn't mean more machines in New Zealand, says the Prime Minister.

City camping options shrink again

Aussie tourists switching off NZ - survey

New Zealand is losing its appeal to its most important source of overseas visitors - Australia, according to a survey.

Whangamata tops bach spots

Whangamata has cemented itself as the top summer holiday spot for the fifth year running, according to home booking website Bookabach.

Waiheke must-see, says NY Times

Waiheke Island has been dubbed a must-visit destination for 2013 by the New York Times - a tourism coup an advertising executive says many would give their eye teeth for.

Editorial: Safety first approach essential for Antarctica

Editorial: Once, the Prime Minister's visit to Antarctica this week would have placed him among a select group. Not any more.

Stuck bus in less danger than it appeared, says boss

Heavy machinery was needed to winch out a tour bus that became stuck in soft sand on Ninety Mile Beach.

Editorial: Make SkyWalk totally secure before it can reopen

SkyCity and the company that runs the SkyWalk adventure on its tower have said very little since the incident on Saturday.

Campers evolve into glampers

The great Kiwi camping holiday seems to be dropping out of favour, with few people willing to rough it in the wild without some modern comforts.

Blindness, coma, death....experts give warning

Health experts say Kiwis travelling to Indonesia should pay close attention to the source of any alcohol they drink, and avoid jugs of pre-made liquor.

Poisoned drink kills Kiwi teen

A Kiwi teenager has died after drinking a methanol-laced drink while celebrating New Year in Indonesia - and his grandfather says the death is "murder, really".

Tourist: We were conned

Tourists say a rogue operator promised them visits to farms, geyser parks and buffet dinners - but instead took them to free events.