New Zealand’s flag carrier airline, Air New Zealand has launched Mystery Break Packages, where passengers book holidays without knowing where they are going.
For a two-night stay, domestic travel deals start at $398 per individual, and travelers only find out where they are going two days before their flight begins.
Travelers can’t choose where they want to travel, but they would be permitted to choose a destination they would like to avoid.
Trips could be to anyone of 20 destinations in the domestic network of the airline. This includes major cities such as Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, as well as locations like Taupo, home to the largest lake in the world, and Invercargill, renowned for its long summer twilights and Southern Lights viewing.
According to the airlines, “As your destination is a mystery, you cannot specify where you want to go. However, you can advise one destination you do not want to travel to and, subject to availability, we will endeavor to accommodate your request”.
Travelers may select the dates they want to travel on and then choose the package that best suits them. For a three-night trip over a weekend, there is an option of “Great”, “Deluxe” or “Luxury,” with prices reaching up to $1,598 per person.
The booked plan also determines the hotel standard that will be chosen by Air New Zealand, with starting packages including a three or four-star Accor hotel stay and the more luxurious options including breakfast and dinner for five-star stays. In both the Deluxe and Luxury options, car hire is also included so that travelers can get out and explore their holidays.
A limited number of packages are on offer and customers are recommended to book six weeks before they expect to travel. There is also a chance to purchase an open-date mystery break as a gift, and the package is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.
Air New Zealand has previously offered mystery break packages aimed at corporate travelers but has developed them to attract tourists to help boost local tourism amid pandemic.
Having worked to manage the COVID-19 outbreak across the country, authorities have prevented travelers from most other destinations from entering New Zealand, meaning that the country’s summer tourism season is likely to take a hit.
The government of New Zealand has also raised its travel advisory to “do not travel” for the citizens-the highest level-regardless of a destination, so domestic travel may be a common alternative.
