July 2023 - Visit by Innovative Travel's Turkey Operator

It was great to connect with one of our wonderful Turkish companies last week, with a visit by Koray and his family to Christchurch.

Photo: Dinner with Innovative Travel team members, Lynda and Christine, and their partners.

March 2020 - Safari Update
North Island Venues

Andy Kibby, our Kiwi-born Nairobi based safari guide paid a visit to New Zealand to present on The Safari Company's incredible tours. Andy has been running safaris through Africa for over 30 years, so it was wonderful for Andy to share his experiences with travel agents and travellers in Palmerston North and Kapiti Coast.

February 2020 - Israel & Jordan Update
Auckland & Christchurch

Innovative Travel's fantastic Israel & Jordan representative Mor Levy, travelled to New Zealand from Tel Aviv. Mor delivered a superb presentation, covering the highlights of these amazing destinations. Travel agents/brokers and travellers attended.

September 2019 - Egypt Update
Events across New Zealand

Innovative Travel’s fantastic Cairo based Director and expert in Ancient Egypt, Elhamy Elzayat MNZM, travelled to New Zealand in September 2019, namely presenting on the Grand Egyptian Museum, opening in 2020.

Elhamy was Honorary Consul General for New Zealand in Cairo until New Zealand opened an embassy in Egypt, and was presented with the NZ Order of Merit MNZM, by then Prime Minister, Helen Clark.

Elhamy is a key figure for tourism to the region, including former Chair of the Egyptian Tourism Federation and on the board of the Egyptian Holding Company for Tourism and Cinema, The Egyptian Holding Company for Egypt Airports and the Media City Company for Hotels. He writes and lectures worldwide, in particular on peace through tourism and was a pioneer in tourism between Egypt and Israel.

September 2019 - Travel Companions Club Event
Announcing Two Tours: Egypt Unveiled & Oberammergau Passion Play 2020

The Travel Companions Club in conjunction with Innovative Travel hosted an event to share two exciting tour opportunities in 2020, following our successful Trans-Siberian rail journey this year.

• Egypt Unveiled - on 22 May 2020, Colleen Doyle will be hosting a tour to ancient Egypt, which includes a stunning Nile Cruise. Jordan and the wonderful red rose city of Petra is offered as an extension. This will be a special opportunity to explore this magical ancient country with the reassurance of Innovative Travel's 30 years of safe travel, with the assistance of our amazing local partners in Egypt.
• Danube Cruise & Passion Play in Oberammergau - on 24 August 2020, there is a special hosted tour departing from Budapest, where you will join a European CroisiEurope cruise from Budapest to Passau, before spending 2 nights in the region of Oberammergau and attending the special Passion Play.

June 2019 - Russian Travel Centre Event with Jayne Thomas

Recently back from her 30th trip to Russia, Jayne Thomas, Managing Director of the Russian Travel Centre, visited New Zealand to share her insights into the latest and greatest things to do and see in Russia and the surrounding region, including Russian river cruising and Trans Siberian travel. We were inspired by Jayne's stories and knowledge that could be passed to clients.

2018 - Friends of Te Papa and Innovative Travel

Innovative Travel has partnered with Friends of Te Papa to offer exclusive tours to Egypt. Interest in travelling to this fascinating destination is high, as demonstrated at our event on Egypt earlier in the year, where we hosted more than 300 attendees.
Image (left to right) New Zealand's First Resident Ambassador to Egypt, Rene Wilson, Elizabeth Kay, President of Friends of Te Papa, Elhamy ElZayat, Cairo Director, Innovative Travel, Robyn Galloway, Managing Director, Innovative Travel.

2018 - The Safari Company & Ancient Kingdoms Holidays event in New Plymouth

"On Monday evening Jo from Innovative Travel and Andy Kibby from the Safari Company were in New Plymouth inspiring both agents and clients with their talks about Innovative Travel and The Safari Company.
I just wanted to say that you would never have guessed Jo had only recently joined your company - she spoke with confidence and in a way that captivated everyone who attended. By adding a few family photos to the presentation it also made it more personal which was great. Andy also had the audience in the palm of his hand and after talking about his chosen trip went on to talk about another due to the high level of interest.
Having been in the business for over 20 years and been to many presentations it's always fantastic when I take time out of my personal evening and come away feeling that it was well spent. Thank you for hosting us all"

Sindy Jones, Consultant, HOT New Plymouth

2018 - Travel Companions Club Asian Cooking School get-together

A fun social event for members of the Travel Companions Club in Christchurch to mix and mingle, while learning about Vietnamese cooking - and eating the finished product.

Recipe for the great dipping sauce:
Crush 10 cloves of garlic in a mortar & pestle. Add 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of warm water and stir until sugar is dissolved. Add 3/4 cup fish sauce, 1 cup lime juice and a little chili for a kick. Sauce can keep for up to 1 month in fridge. Tip: pick up frozen limes at Kosko's - a fraction of the price of fresh limes.

2017 - Egyptian Tourism update hosted by Innovative Travel's Cairo based Director Elhamy El Zayat

A series of trade and consumers were held to encourage Kiwi's to catch up with other markets who were returning to Egypt for holidays. It has been 6 years since the countries original uprising and Egypt has moved on with their new constitution.
Tourism is rebounding at an international level, with Americans, Canadians and Brazilians leading the way.  
Pictured from left: Kirsty Degnan (Innovative), Peter Dunne (Discover Travel), Lynda Morrison (Innovative), Elhamy ElZayat

2017 - Charity fund raiser evening of Travel & Fashion
Hosted by: Aviva (Family Violence Services), Jane Daniels & Innovative Travel

A chance for guests to preview the Jane Daniels Winter 2017 collection inspired by her travels to Russia with Innovative Travel, discover Ancient Kingdoms with Robyn Galloway, listen to jazz, savour delicious canapes and wine and bid on some great items at the charity auction.
MC for the evening was Lady Susan Satyanand.
The night was a fun night for everyone there, and a considerable sum was raised for Aviva.

2016 - RSA Western Front Evening

Recently Innovative Travel hosted an evening with the Christchurch RSA for people interested in finding out more about 2016 & 2017 WWI tours to The Somme and Passchendaele for the 100th commemorations.
Pictured from left are Peter Kennedy (tour host), Robyn Galloway (MD Innovative Travel), Jenny Haworth (Author of Behind the Twisted Wire) and Lynda Morrison (Groups Manager at Innovative Travel).