air new zealand

In Harmony: New Zealand And Emerging Luxury Travel Trends, Part 1

In my recent Luxist articles,The Dawn Of A New Economy, and Is The Recession Over?, I have discussed a multiplicity of luxury trends, derived from the Luxury Summit discussions and research, and from the American Affluence Center Research, Spring 2010. These new trends suggest changes in high end spending and saving, redefining what is newly important to consumers. Such changes have been enhanced by the recession that has at best lightly touched and at worst deeply affected both the aspirational and inspirational high net worth populations. Much of this research suggests changes in purchasing attitudes that range from a more conspicuous to a more conscious consumption, allowing for less artifice and more authenticity, less presumption and more purpose, less spending and more investing – all in material and experience that mean more than just acquiring more stuff.

Within the past year also, a greater interest has emerged in high end, authentic adventure travel, multi -generational family travel, and all with a greater eco-sensitive outlook. These luxury travel trends correspond, and indeed harmonize with high end travel offerings found in New Zealand, the youngest, least populated (still more sheep than people, 16 million sheep, 4 million people), and arguably one of the most unspoiled, green, eco-sensitive and adventurous and adventuresome country left in the world.

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Jatropha Oil Fuels Air New Zealand Flight

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings, Green

In February, Virgin Atlantic tried flying on a mix of 80% jet fuel and 20% biofuel made from coconut oil and babassu palm oil. Another exotic ingredient is behind Air New Zealand's biofuel flight. The airline used a 50-50 mix of jet fuel and jatropha tree oil in one of its four engines for the two-hour test flight on a Boeing 747. No modifications to the engine were needed. The flight was a success and Air New Zealand plans to source 10% of its fuel from sustainable sources by 2013.

The jatropha nut is a poisonous nut that is 30% oil and burns with a clear flame. It is seen to be at least as promising as palm oil as a potential biofuel and because it is drought resistant it has been used as live fencing in dry regions around the world.

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