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Welcome to 'PATA Presents' - our reel series packed with mini interviews with PATA members and travel agents, covering everything from hot travel trends and expert selling tips to the latest updates in the Pacific Asia region.
Travel trends for 2025

 

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This month we are shining a spotlight on responsible travel in the Asia Pacific region. From eco-resorts to local experiences, read on to hear the top tips from our PATA Members

Selling tips 
Travelling off-peak is a great way to practice responsible travel. This can help reduce the negative impacts tourism has on the local environment and create more sustainable year-round business for tourism operators. In New Zealand, for example, travelling during the shoulder seasons can be a great time to visit with more temperate weather, and fewer crowds which means you can enjoy many of the hiking or cycling tracks to yourself. Not only are the landscapes more beautiful with the changes of seasons, but you’re reducing the stress on local infrastructure by travelling outside of peak periods – a win for both the visitor and destination.

Consumers are increasingly interested in ensuring they are using accommodation and activity suppliers that are more sustainable and contribute positively to the local economy and community. Qualmark is New Zealand tourism’s officially quality assurance organization and they have a sustainability criteria where they award products with a bronze, silver or gold accreditation. A Gold Sustainable Tourism Accreditation identifies those businesses leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world-class sustainable visitor destination. There are over 900 tourism businesses in New Zealand who have achieved a Gold accreditation so there is plenty of choice when putting together an itinerary for visitors seeking more responsible choices.

Recent booking trends
Travellers are becoming more conscious about their carbon footprint. Despite this, long-haul travel remains popular but visitors are making more responsible choices on the ground to ensure their holiday contributes positively to the destination. The New Zealand industry is always innovating to meet these expectations – here are some examples:

Sustainable Accommodations
More travelers are seeking eco-friendly accommodations that prioritize sustainability. This includes hotels that use renewable energy, reduce waste, and support local communities. There are plenty of good options in New Zealand, like The Headwaters Eco Lodge. Set amidst stunning Glenorchy landscapes, the Lodge was designed according to the Living Building Challenge™, the highest level of sustainability standards in the world.

Wellness and Adventure
A blend of wellness and adventure is driving travel choices, with travelers seeking experiences that promote personal growth and meaningful connections. We’ve seen an increase in wellness products across New Zealand such as Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa in Rotorua that offers spa experiences that are deeply rooted in traditional Māori healing practices.

Community Engagement
Travelers are increasingly interested in experiences that allow them to connect with local cultures and communities, supporting local businesses and traditions. This is an area where many New Zealand tourism businesses excel. Kohutapu Lodge and Tribal Tours is a family run business who’s mission is to provide world-class tourism experiences while also providing positive change for their local community. They have been able to provide over 30,000 meals for people in need, purchase school uniforms for the local school and invest over $500,000 NZD in the local community thanks to tourism. When you engage with tourism businesses like Kohutapu Lodge, you know that your investment in them is having a positive impact on their community.

Forward booking predictions
While long-haul travel will remain popular, the industry and travelers will make more effort to balance the desire for exploration with the need for environmental responsibility.

Lilly Douglas, PATA Committee Member & Trade Executive at Tourism New Zealand