Latest from Tourism & Leisure Industries

Up, up and away over Rotorua

Tourists will soon be soaring high over Rotorua on the Orbserver - a helium balloon which can carry up to 20 passengers 150m above the tourist mecca.

Proposed freedom camping ban slammed

Responsible visitors such as those travelling in certified self-contained motorhomes should "not have the door slammed in their face", says the NZ Motorcaravan Association.

Bed tax levy proposed in report to Key

The government has welcomed a report from New Zealand's key tourism leaders who have called for a nationwide bed levy and a boost to departure taxes to fund small centre infrastrucuture.

Flying from Sydney to LA in six hours?

A US start-up is working to make supersonic speed mainstream, with a passenger jet that travels more than two times the speed of sound.

Airlines charge nearly $100b for extras

Airlines are finding more ways to charge for extras like baggage fees and on-board food.

New Aircalin planes for NZ route

Noumea-based Aircalin is upgrading its fleet, opting for Airbus A320s and A330s

Rangatira Investments operating profit rises

Rangatira Investments operating profit rises by almost a third, Polynesian Spa benefits from tourism boom.

Visitor tax a growing global trend

Auckland would be joining a global trend if it started charging a levy to tourists staying in the city.

Smalley: Goff's tourist tax a smart move

COMMENT: I think what Phil Goff is doing is absolutely right - a visitor levy is a good way to generate income, but it needs to go beyond Auckland.

Kaikoura tour operator overwhelmed by support

Whale Watch Kaikoura is overwhelmed by the support they have received following a temporary closure after Monday's quake.

Kaikoura's surfers anxious to see change

Kaikoura's surfers are anxiously waiting for a swell to see what the weekend's earthquake means for the region's famous surf breaks.

Picton ferry terminal may need a rebuild

Port of Malborough expects to find out today whether the ferry terminal building at Picton is structurally sound.

Watch NZH Focus: Americans buying up New Zealand

Join NZ Herald Property Editor Anne Gibson as she talks to Ollie Wall from Graham Wall Real Estate on Americans buying up large in New Zealand, both in residential and commercial property.

Tourism rush for West Coast after quakes

Tourists are heading to the South Island's West Coast in their droves after the devastating east coast earthquake.

Tourism swings into damage control

Tourism operators say there have been no reports of cancellations following the earthquakes but the industry is in damage control because of potential damage to NZ's image.

Evacuations, business support for Kaikoura

Steven Joyce has been charged with putting together a "business continuity package" for Kaikoura.

Watch NZH Local Focus: Whakatane tourism booming

Tourism is booming in Whakatane. Latest statistics show travellers to the region injected 115 million dollars into the local economy last year. That's an increase of 20 percent over the last three years. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Watch NZH Local Focus: Whakatane tourism booming

Tourism is booming in Whakatane. Latest statistics show travellers to the region injected 115 million dollars into the local economy last year. That's an increase of 20 percent over the last three years. Made with funding from NZ On Air.