KEY POINTS:
Visitors to New Zealand with deep pockets can now travel the country in comfort, with a company offering luxurious coaches featuring wireless internet access, a flat-screen television and reclining leather seats.
Tourism Minister Damien O'Connor launched the Green Realm Travel coaches in Auckland yesterday.
Green Realm Travel managing director Tim Cantlon said the company hoped to cater for a niche in the market which was not being provided for.
More than $1 million had been invested in the company's two coaches, one of which was unveiled yesterday.
The coaches were made by a Tauranga company but the reclining leather lounge seats are from Europe.
Travellers can take in the sights amid the comforts of state-of-the-art sound systems, a 68cm flat-screen television, spacious on-board bathrooms and wireless internet access.
The net access will allow visitors to keep friends and family up-to-date with email and digital photos.
Mr Cantlon said the coaches were also designed to meet environmental standards, with reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.
Recycling bins are also on board.
Three different tour itineraries are offered, with the 18-day national tour setting visitors back almost $22,000 each.
Mr Cantlon said the coaches and the level of service on the tours were aimed at visitors who would know there was "no nickel and diming".
Mr O'Connor said he was not sure what percentage of the tourist market was high yield but the idea was to increase the value of each visitor.
"We still need a range of visitors but those at the top end who spend more money leave more behind for us and that's generally far better for the economy."
He said a whole range of visitors were needed, including backpackers who needed to be encouraged.
"They too are high-value visitors. We have to make sure whatever the niche in the market that operators are making a good return, that we're doing as much as we can to protect the environment and that we can sustain that market."
Despite a weak US dollar Mr O'Connor said plenty of other countries would provide for visitors at the top-end of the tourism market.
"There are wealthy people in China, Japan and all through Europe, who want to come to New Zealand because we are a safe destination. They want comfort as they travel around so I think ... this product [is pitched] in a very, very smart market."
- NZPA
