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ew Zealand’s natural hot pools include picturesque springs inforests only accessible by walking tracks and isolated roads. These pools are truly magical - here, you can enjoy a soak amongst lush native bush serenaded by birdsong. A favourite amongst the locals, these types of hot pools are part of New Zealand’s many natural gems and include places like Kerosene Creek in Rotorua and Hot Water Beach in The Coromandel.If you’re after something a little more modern for your clients, thermal pool complexes can be found in both the North and South Island. New Zealand’s larger cities offer luxurious day spas that make an ideal addition to your client’s holiday. There are also quiet retreats in the countryside or deep in the forest that combine relaxing therapies with picturesque landscapes. Here are just a small selection of hot pools and health spas in New Zealand:Rotorua WaiOra Spa Internationally-acclaimed WaiOra Spa therapies offer superb spa facilities with nine
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cientific study confirms regular breaks have a positive effect – several short trips are better than a long holiday – psychologist presents her latest findings at the ITB Berlin Convention Berlin, 4 June 2013 – Holidays benefit people’s health and let them recover from the stress of their day-to-day lives. A recent study has now confirmed what many travellers regularly experience. Dr. Jessica de Bloom, a work and organisational psychologist at the University of Tampere in Finland, has examined how holidays benefit people’s health and wellbeing and come to some fascinating conclusions from
treatment rooms (including double rooms), private and public hot spa pools, steam room and “Kawakawa” infused steam sauna. WaiOra Spa features the award winning “New Zealand Cultural Spa Experience” based on New Zealand’s healing waters, geothermal muds and traditions of Maori, and has been awarded the coveted 2011 World Luxury Spa Awards. For more information please click on:www. waioraresort.co.nz Polynesian Spa Polynesian Spa is New Zealand’s leading internationally acclaimed spa. Enjoy this unique lakefront thermal spa experience offering a wonderful fusion of relaxing hot mineral spring bathing, spa therapies and picturesque views of Lake Rotorua. Discover why Polynesian Spa was voted a world top ten spa 2004-2007, 2009 & 2011 by the prestigious Conde Nast Traveller magazine. From the 26 thermal pools, simply select one of four bathing areas - deluxe lake spa, adult pools (with historic priest spa), private pools, or family spa. Or indulge in a spa therapy or
which the tourism industry can profit. She presented her findings at a workshop organised by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Tourismusforschung at this year’s ITB Berlin Convention. According to the study, holidays not only benefit people’s health but make them happier as well. These latest research findings on the topic of personal happiness confirm that people who spend their money on concerts, family trips or short breaks are happier than those who acquire material objects such as jewellery, clothing and electronic devices. The reason, according to Dr. Jessica de Bloom, is that they cannot be
hydro spa therapy, at the inviting haven of the lake spa retreat. For more information please click on:www. polynesianspa.co.nz Taupo TaupoDeBretts Set in a steaming thermal valley, Taupo Hot Springs offers you a unique opportunity to totally relax & unwind with the wide range of accommodation on offer at the resort, with outstanding views, and a bed for all budgets. Bathe away every care in the world in our hot mineral pools. Indulge in a relaxing massage, or allow yourself to be tempted by one of our treatments, guaranteed to rejuvenate and restore you. Or let our therapists work their magic on you. We also provide a range of fun activities, perfect for the kids. Let them play the day away on the interactive playground and dragon hydro slide, while you relax and unwind! Bring a picnic lunch, get great food at the cafe or use one of our BBQs. For more information please click on:www. taupodebretts.co.nz Canterbury Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa Situated only 90 minutes’ drive from Christchurch or Kaikoura, Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa is an extensive thermal complex in an alpine environment with large native gardens. The complex offers thermal mineral, sulphur and freshwater pools, as well as a large children’s activity area. Private thermal pools, sauna and steam rooms available, with licensed cafe on site also. To gain extra benefit from the thermal waters, visit the wonderful new spa for a variety of beauty and massage treatments. For more information please click on:www. hanmersprings.co.nz
Tekapo Springs Tekapo Springs offers three tiered Hot Pools landscaped in local greywacke rock and surrounded by the regions native alpine plants to create a natural setting. Pool temperatures range from forty degrees Celsius to thirty six degrees Celsius. The pools have benched seating so you can sit back, relax and soak. The Hot Pools are open from 10am - 9pm daily. The pools take advantage of the wonderful views looking out over Lake Tekapo and the Two Thumb mountain range. The site is surrounded by mature Radiata and Douglas fir trees which shelter the area. Over winter it is not uncommon to have snow on the ground around the Hot pools, adding to the winter experience. For more information please click on: www.tekaposprings.co.nz Queenstown The Spa at Millbrook As Queenstown’s most prestigious and award-winning day spa, The Spa at Millbrook epitomizes the ultimate in rest in relaxation. From the inviting welcome area to the quiet and spacious treatment rooms, post treatment relaxation rooms and superb outdoor relaxation areas, The Spa at Millbrook provides a peaceful environment to relax and be pampered. Located in an idyllic position, carefully angled windows ensure that the stunning views across manicured fairways, rolling hills and surrounding mountains are enjoyed from the majority of treatment rooms. The Spa at Millbrook has been chosen as one of the Top Ten Hotel Spas in the World by luxury lifestyle website gayot.com and recommended by Conde Naste Traveller magazine.
compared. “One can compare a designer suit with an expensive watch, but not one’s diving holidays on the Red Sea and a colleague’s city break in Barcelona. What is more, experiences do not wear out over time.” Switching off to shut out stress Taking a break from everyday routines also benefits one’s health. Scientists and doctors conducting the Framingham Heart Study found that people who do not go on holiday for longer periods are at greater risk of becoming ill or even dying earlier than those who regularly go on breaks. Frequent breaks rather than extended holidays are crucial to maintaining good health. Every type of holiday examined by the study, whether a short break or a three-week hiking trip, produced evidence of comparative benefits to people’s health and wellbeing. Dr. Jessica de Bloom compares this with the effects of sleep: “One cannot postpone one’s sleep or relaxation requirements. One long summer holiday cannot compensate for a whole year of hard work and overtime.“ In order to remain healthy the important thing is to relax on a regular basis, she added. Freedom to make one’s own choices on holiday helps one to relax Whether or not a holiday is relaxing and remembered as such depends on a variety of factors. According to de Bloom’s study, 17 per cent of people feel worse when they are on holiday than before they went. Among the reasons are negative events such as travel stress or a sudden illness. Her study also confirms that, crucially, this is influenced less by the type of holiday activities people undertake than by them
having the freedom to make their own choices. Activities should satisfy people’s needs and it is the holidaymakers who should be able to choose them. In other words, being able to make one’s own choices when on holiday is the key to a perfect break. In fact, activities play an even greater role as they influence people’s perception of how long they were on holiday. Time simply flies for those who undertake a lot of holiday activities. Afterwards, they remember having had a long holiday, in contrast to those who spend their time in the hotel or on the beach. The last day on holiday can well decide how people remember their trip: “Packing suitcases and other unappealing activities are best dealt with a day before leaving to make sure the last day on holiday can be enjoyed to the full“, advises de Bloom. Reducing stress factors and inspiring happiness The findings of this study on holidays and relaxation could be of practical use to the tourism industry. According to de Bloom, travel agency sales of holiday tours could improve a customer’s holiday experience, providing travel agents are aware of the positive effects and how to reduce stress. What is more, tourism products need to be further improved to ensure tourists enjoy maximum satisfaction when on holiday. Dr. Martin Buck, Director of Travel & Logistics, Messe Berlin: “These latest research findings give us a deeper insight into the needs of today’s travellers. They offer valuable inspiration for creating innovative tourism products and give companies the decisive edge in a hotly contested travel market.“