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Record bookings aboard New Zealand’s own ‘Love Boat’

 

MEDIA RELEASE
25th November 2009
Record bookings aboard New Zealand’s own ‘Love Boat’
Love has been in the air aboard Ipipiri, Fullers GreatSights’ overnight cruise in the Bay of
Islands with a naked wedding and two marriage proposals just two months after its official
launch!
Meanwhile, Christchurch couple Cherie Taylor and Shane Carson won the ‘Nudie Nuptials’
radio competition and were wed aboard the vessel in front of 48 guests.
“The natural surroundings on the Ipipiri cruise are simply breathtaking and really quite magical
so we are not surprised that some guests have chosen it as the ideal moment to pop the
big question,” said Charles Parker, General Manager Bay of Islands at InterCity Group (NZ)
Ltd. “We have also been inundated with enquiries from people who are also interested in
hosting their weddings aboard so we’re beginning to feel a bit like the crew of the Love Boat!”
Bookings aboard Ipipiri are tracking well ahead of forecast and Fullers GreatSights is
delighted with this response in the current economic climate. The special launch rate of $199
per person, twin share, for people who book and travel prior to the 20 December 2009 has
been hugely popular with weekends ahead of Christmas filling fast.
“It has been great to see strong local support and it’s having a positive knock-on effect as
visitors are choosing to visit other areas of Northland in addition to their overnight cruise,” said
Charles.
“We recently hosted a group of 56 Kiwis from the Bay of Plenty. While they were regular
overseas travellers, most hadn’t been to Northland for years. In fact, four had never even
been to Northland before! While Ipipiri was the main reason for their visit, they also stayed
in the Bay for two nights and then went on to Kaitaia, Hokianga, Dargaville and Tutukaka -
averaging seven nights in local accommodation,” he said. “The flow-on benefits to local food
outlets, activity operators and communities is nothing but positive.”
Bookings from international tourists are also increasing significantly in the lead up to the busy
Summer season.
Fullers GreatSights guest survey shows that more than 50 per cent of passengers came to
the Far North because of the Ipipiri cruise. The survey also showed that on average, for every
one night spent aboard Ipipiri, guests spent 3.8 additional nights in local accommodation in
the Bay of Islands or in other areas around Northland. This means the tourists are spending
more time and money in the area which is a great flow on effect to other tourism and
hospitality operators.
Ipipiri is a 46 metre catamaran featuring 30 identical deluxe king cabins, each with panoramic
sea views and private ensuites. The restaurant and bar area caters for up to 70 guests for a
seated dinner and up to 110 for cocktail-style events or theatre presentations. The spacious

MEDIA RELEASE

25th November 2009

Record bookings aboard New Zealand’s own ‘Love Boat’

Love has been in the air aboard Ipipiri, Fullers GreatSights’ overnight cruise in the Bay of Islands with a naked wedding and two marriage proposals just two months after its official launch!

Meanwhile, Christchurch couple Cherie Taylor and Shane Carson won the ‘Nudie Nuptials’ radio competition and were wed aboard the vessel in front of 48 guests.

“The natural surroundings on the Ipipiri cruise are simply breathtaking and really quite magical so we are not surprised that some guests have chosen it as the ideal moment to pop the big question,” said Charles Parker, General Manager Bay of Islands at InterCity Group (NZ) Ltd. “We have also been inundated with enquiries from people who are also interested in hosting their weddings aboard so we’re beginning to feel a bit like the crew of the Love Boat!”

Bookings aboard Ipipiri are tracking well ahead of forecast and Fullers GreatSights is delighted with this response in the current economic climate. The special launch rate of $199 per person, twin share, for people who book and travel prior to the 20 December 2009 has been hugely popular with weekends ahead of Christmas filling fast.

“It has been great to see strong local support and it’s having a positive knock-on effect as visitors are choosing to visit other areas of Northland in addition to their overnight cruise,” said Charles.

“We recently hosted a group of 56 Kiwis from the Bay of Plenty. While they were regular overseas travellers, most hadn’t been to Northland for years. In fact, four had never even been to Northland before! While Ipipiri was the main reason for their visit, they also stayed

in the Bay for two nights and then went on to Kaitaia, Hokianga, Dargaville and Tutukaka - averaging seven nights in local accommodation,” he said. “The flow-on benefits to local food outlets, activity operators and communities is nothing but positive.”

Bookings from international tourists are also increasing significantly in the lead up to the busy Summer season.

Fullers GreatSights guest survey shows that more than 50 per cent of passengers came to the Far North because of the Ipipiri cruise. The survey also showed that on average, for every one night spent aboard Ipipiri, guests spent 3.8 additional nights in local accommodation in the Bay of Islands or in other areas around Northland. This means the tourists are spending more time and money in the area which is a great flow on effect to other tourism and hospitality operators.

Ipipiri is a 46 metre catamaran featuring 30 identical deluxe king cabins, each with panoramic sea views and private ensuites. The restaurant and bar area caters for up to 70 guests for a seated dinner and up to 110 for cocktail-style events or theatre presentations. The spacious rooftop sundeck with 360 degree views provides the perfect location to relax and soak up the scenery.

“The Bay of Islands is a stunning place to visit and the best way to see the area is by water,” says Charles. “It’s only a three hour coach trip or 40 minute flight from Auckland.”

A coach/cruise/coach tour option is also available ex-Auckland with GreatSights.co.nz. Based in the Bay of Islands the vessel can be chartered for conferences, weddings and incentive groups and is available to sail to other areas of New Zealand and the South Pacific.

For more information, please visit www.overnightcruise.co.nz or www.GreatSights.co.nz

-Ends-