Agents turned out in force in Auckland last night for the annual Disney Days event and along with updates on new Disney parks, celebrations, ships and attractions—and what’s new and next in Anaheim—Disney Destinations’ regional director of travel business development Andrea Robinson also highlighted why now is an opportunity for Kiwi agents selling the US.
The combined Australian market is Disneyland Resort’s third largest visitor market. “Let that sink in a minute, that’s massive,” Robinson told those at last night’s event. Kiwi travellers spend an average of 2.8 days at the Disneyland parks, and Robinson continues to recommend a three-day minimum ‘to really soak up the magic and take the time to enjoy it’; while Visit Anaheim recommends a minimum of seven nights so agents can use Anaheim as their Southern California base.
. . . Headwinds
Robinson also addressed some uncertainty in the market—and highlighted the key role Kiwi agents play in giving clients the confidence to turn enquiry into bookings. “There’s some headwinds at the moment to the US, so we’re looking at how can we encourage clients to get back to the US again—and I really believe the superpower is with you guys. It’s your knowledge, it’s your expertise,” Robinson told those agents at the Disney Days training event. “You’ve got all those insider tips, and that is so really important right now. You know, I also think we’ve got to cut through the negative news that’s going on with travelling to the US.” Robinson urged agents to share their own knowledge of the destination with their clients. “You know travelling to Disneyland and Anaheim, it’s safe, right, it’s secure. And of course it is magical. So right now, your clients need your reassurance and you have the power to fulfill their Disney dream.”
. . . Spend
Kiwis spend an average of $4500pp on their Anaheim trip, says Visit Anaheim’s Lisa Linn who adds that there’s also plenty of add-on and upselling opportunities for agents as well as a lot of airline capacity. “You never have had a better time to travel [to Anaheim] says Linn. “And look, the stats are showing that there’s about 70,000 people that have travelled from New Zealand in the last four months to the [US]. So bring it on.”
