Chasing Dreams Travel NZ/AUS

03/09/2026

Sometimes you know your clients better than they know what they want… ✈️

A client recently came to me looking for a fabulous family holiday in Fiji, with a resort similar to the incredible one we’d booked for them in Khao Lak.

Of course, I could have simply put together the Fiji option they asked for.

But alongside it, I gently suggested that what I really thought they were looking for was a pool-access room in exclusive Nusa Dua, Bali, followed by a little barefoot luxury in the Gili Islands — with plenty of snorkelling and turtles thrown in.

It didn’t take much convincing. We all knew this was much more them than Fiji.

And really, it all started about two years earlier.

We’d booked an incredible multi-region Thailand adventure for this family of five, only for flash flooding to hit just as they landed in Chiang Mai.

I was on my way to a four-year-old’s birthday party that Saturday when the phone rang. I dropped everything and went into action mode.

We got them onto the next flight and pivoted the trip to Khao Lak — which, as it turned out, became one of the highlights they talked about for years afterwards.

So when they came back wanting to recreate certain elements of that trip, but this time in Fiji, I knew there was a bigger picture.

Their adventurous side extends well beyond the obvious.

And this is one of my favourite parts of what I do: over time, you build a real understanding of your clients. You learn what makes them tick, what they love, what they don’t, and the kind of experiences that will have them talking about a trip for years.

Sometimes the best travel advice is knowing when to say:

“I know you asked for Fiji… but I think I know what you’re actually looking for.” 🌴🐢

01/09/2026

Fiji Tourism Tax — here’s the latest

There’s been a change to the new 5% Fiji Tourism Tax, and thankfully, it’s good news for travellers who had already booked.

The Fijian Government introduced the 5% tourism tax from 1 September 2026. But there was an obvious issue: where's the "fair" for travellers who had already booked and paid for their holidays before the tax was announced?

New Zealand tourism heads lobbied hard for a change — and it worked.

The outcome?

The 5% Fiji Tourism Tax will now apply to new bookings from 1 September 2026 onwards.

So if your Fiji holiday was already booked before the change, you won’t suddenly find an extra 5% added to the cost.

A win for travellers — and a good reminder that sometimes the industry does listen! 🌴☀️

31/08/2026

Still travelling through Middle East. And here’s the insider tip… ✈️

Yes, things are still a little up in the air in the Middle East. But you know what? It hasn’t stopped our clients travelling — far from it.

I’m regularly asked whether it’s better to fly via the Middle East or Asia at the moment. From what we’re seeing, the answer is pretty clear: the Middle East is still offering the best value, hands down.

Think:
✈️ Higher-grade airlines
✈️ Muuuuuuch cheaper airfares than the alternative
✈️ Fewer connections
✈️ And a surprisingly seamless way to travel across the world

This month alone, we have passengers travelling via Doha or Dubai to/from the UK, Spain, Tanzania and Croatia.

The world hasn’t stopped travelling. And with the right advice, there are still some seriously good fares to be found. Emirates has even offered insurance on some fares.

28/08/2026

Behind the Scenes Friday

One of the trickiest parts of being a travel agent is knowing when to gently question a customer's choice.

Every now and then, a client comes to me with an itinerary already partly decided and says:

“For these nights, we'd like to stay at ### Resort, please.”

And my first thought is that they've chosen it for a reason.

Maybe they've stayed there before. Maybe they've had a recommendation. Maybe they've seen something online that they love. Whatever the reason, I don't want to steamroll over that and tell them what I think they should do instead.

But here's the thing…

We are constantly receiving updates on hotels and resorts — renovations, management changes, new openings, changes to service levels, developments in the surrounding area — and we have access to platforms and product intelligence that allow us to compare properties in a way a traveller simply can't always do from the outside.

And sometimes, the property someone has specifically requested isn't the property I'd choose for them today.

I've had clients come home and say:

“It wasn't quite as good as last time.”
“It was more run down this time.”
“The area has become so built up.”

And I'm sitting there thinking…

I knew that. 🤦‍♀️

Not because they made a bad choice — but because I should have found a better way to say “I know you've asked for this one, but can I show you a couple of alternatives before we lock it in?”

I don't always get it right. Sometimes I've let it be.

But I think that's part of being a good travel advisor — knowing when to step in, without overstepping.

And I'm getting better at that.

Because sometimes the best value we add isn't finding the hotel you asked for.

It's knowing when to ask, “Are you sure?”

25/08/2026

It’s quickly becoming one of the most popular destinations for Kiwis and Aussies right now.

But, as they say, you don’t know what you don’t know, right?

Give this a 2-minute read before planning your first trip to Vietnam.

Vietnam is a top pick for Kiwis and Aussies seeking culture, adventure, and value - here’s your quick guide to planning the perfect Vietnam trip.

24/08/2026

That feeling when you wake up in a beautiful, light-filled room, with nothing but peace and quiet around you…

Then step straight from your bed into your private pool before wandering down to breakfast.

This little glimpse comes from one of our travellers, who was very happy with the room we booked for them.

Want this to be you?
Let’s start planning: [email protected]

20/08/2026

Behind the Scenes Friday ✨

One of the more interesting challenges of being a small business owner who also happens to live in a holiday destination is figuring out how to navigate it when the rellies come to stay.

There’s a delicate balance between “I’m so happy you’re here!” and “Sooo… this is your holiday, and I haven’t actually taken annual leave…” 😂

That was me last week - doing my best to get as much work done as possible, while still carving out some lovely pockets of time with my dear old Dad.

The trade-off? The backlog was REAL.

Although, if I’m being honest, the real problem is probably that I actually love working. Ha!

And the timing couldn’t have been more interesting, because we’re currently in the middle of some very exciting expansion. Squeal! The news is BIG, and I’m practically bursting to tell you… but you’ll just have to wait a little longer. 🤫

So here we are - Friday, and we’re back on track!

The to-do list is checked off, the inbox is behaving itself, and that completely irrational feeling of “I’m drowning” has transformed into something more like virtual backstroke, sunglasses on, looking fabulous.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Alex ###

20/08/2026

Zanzibar 🌴

Imagine opening the doors to your balcony and being greeted by this.

The turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean stretching out in front of you, the sound of the sea below, and that wonderfully slow pace that Zanzibar seems to do so well.

One of our travellers is about to head off on a bucket-list adventure to see the silverback gorillas, and when the adventure is over, this is where he’ll be heading to unwind.

These quaint beachside cottages are the perfect place to slow the pace — lazy mornings, long afternoons by the water and absolutely nowhere you need to be.

Because sometimes the best way to finish an extraordinary adventure is with a few days of doing… absolutely nothing.

Gorillas → Zanzibar.
Now that’s a holiday combination.

19/08/2026

Why I rarely recommend picking up a rental car when you arrive in Samoa 🌴🚗

Samoa is one of those destinations that’s small, relaxed and absolutely perfect for exploring by car. So, at first glance, picking up your rental at the airport seems like the obvious choice.

But if your holiday package already includes an airport transfer to your accommodation, I’ll often recommend doing things a little differently - have the car delivered to you during your stay instead.

Here’s why 👇

Samoa may be small, but the roads can be mighty!
Think winding roads, hills and unfamiliar driving conditions. Navigating all of that in the dark after a long flight isn’t always the most relaxing way to start your holiday.

There can be additional airport fees
Collecting and returning your rental at the airport can come with an airport fee, whereas having the vehicle delivered to your accommodation can be a much smoother (and cheaper) option.

Start your holiday relaxed
Take the included transfer, arrive at your resort, settle in, have a drink, enjoy the pool… and then have your rental car delivered when you’re actually ready to start exploring.

So when a client asks me about hiring a car for their Samoa holiday, I’ll often suggest arriving by airport transfer, then having the rental vehicle delivered to their accommodation when they’re ready for it.

It’s a small change, but sometimes it’s those little details that turn a potentially stressful arrival into a genuinely relaxing start to your holiday. 🌴✨

18/08/2026

Group holidays are supposed to be fun.

So why not leave the logistics to someone else, and keep the group holiday exactly that - fun?