Pacific Destinations

What Pacific Destinations does

Pacific Destinations (PDNZ) is a privately held, family-owned Inbound Tour Operator headquartered in Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand, founded in 1996. The company designs, assembles, and distributes New Zealand travel itineraries on a wholesale basis to international travel agents and tour operators worldwide, rather than selling directly to consumers. Its product portfolio spans four core service lines: Flexible Independent Travel (FIT) including self-drive, guided walks, rail journeys, and motorhome itineraries; Group Travel for parties of 10 to 400+ passengers covering coach touring, special interest, incentive, and cruise shore excursions; scheduled Regular Tours under four language brands (Aotearoa for Spanish/Italian, French Regular Tours, Golden Aotearoa for Hindi); and the differentiated REST NZ Tours sub-brand focused on off-the-beaten-track 4WD and hiking experiences.

Underlying the business is a proprietary B2B technology stack centred on a Tourplan Webconnect online tariff system, a custom Tailor Made Quoting & Booking Platform, a Quick Quote tool for FIT packages, and a Client Hub portal that delivers real-time booking status, invoicing, and downloadable PDF/mobile itineraries in English, Spanish, Italian, and German. The booking tools provide direct connectivity to hundreds of New Zealand properties and activities, enabling partners to build, price, and manage complex multi-component itineraries without manual intervention.

PDNZ generates revenue primarily through transaction-based commissions and margins on tour package sales, FIT arrangements, group bookings, and foreign-language escorted tours coordinated on behalf of partner agents. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; packages are quoted through partner-facing tools or direct contact. The go-to-market is sales-led and partner-focused, with marketing concentrated on the company website, Instagram, and a content/news hub aimed at keeping international agents informed of New Zealand product developments. Leadership comprises Chairman & Founder Graeme Badland, Managing Director & Co-Owner Mark Badland, and Director & Co-Owner Trent Harnett, supported by functional heads across operations, product, digital development, groups, and finance.

Name

Pacific Destinations

Legal name

Pacific Destinations

Website

https://pacificdestinations.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pacific Destinations is a New Zealand-based, family-owned inbound tour operator founded in 1996 that designs and distributes FIT, group, and multilingual escorted tours to international travel agents and tour operators worldwide via proprietary B2B booking and quoting platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Inbound Tour Operator Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation (487)

akta.pro primary industry

Domestic/In-Country Multi-Day Tour Operators (THAKADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Adventure & Outdoor Local Operators (Trekking/Safari/Diving) (THAKAEAF), Shore Excursion & Port Services Operators (THAKAEAE)

Keywords

• Inbound tour operator
• Group travel services
• FIT travel packages
• Travel agency services
• Destination management

Headquarters

HQ city

Takapuna

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tour Package Sales: Revenue generated from selling complete tour packages including accommodation, activities, transportation, and guide services to international travelers through travel agent partners.
2. FIT (Flexible Independent Travel) Services: Revenue from coordinating independent travel arrangements including guided walks, rail journeys, motorhome itineraries, and self-drive packages.
3. Group Travel Coordination: Revenue from organizing group tours ranging from 10 to 400+ people, including coach touring, special interest groups, incentive travel, and cruise ship transfers.
4. Foreign Language Regular Tours: Revenue from guaranteed departure regular tours for Spanish, Italian, French, and Hindi-speaking clients, fully accompanied by multilingual guides.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Pacific Destinations is a full-service B2B inbound tour operator that designs, prices, and coordinates New Zealand travel experiences on behalf of international travel agents and tour operators. Its portfolio spans FIT (Flexible Independent Travel), group travel (10 to 400+ pax), incentive travel, and guaranteed-departure multilingual regular tours (Spanish, Italian, French, Hindi). It supports partners with proprietary technology platforms (Tourplan-based Webconnect online tariff, Tailor Made Quoting & Booking, Quick Quote, and Client Hub) and operates dedicated sub-brands such as REST NZ Tours, Aotearoa Regular Tours, French Regular Tours, Golden Aotearoa, and NZ Golf and Travel.

Product overview

Pacific Destinations is a full-service Inbound Tour Operator offering FIT, Group, Regular Tours, and Incentive services as a unified travel product portfolio. The core offering includes specialized tour itineraries under brands like REST NZ Tours (featuring 6 distinct 4WD/self-drive adventures from 15 to 29 days), Aotearoa Regular Tours (Spanish/Italian), French Regular Tours, and Golden Aotearoa (Hindi). The company also provides internal technology platforms (Tailor Made Quoting & Booking via Tourplan, Quick Quote, Client Hub) for travel trade partners to build quotes, track bookings, and manage itineraries. Services span independent travel, group travel coordination, and foreign-language guided tours across New Zealand.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• REST NZ Tours: Off-the-beaten-track New Zealand tours featuring 4WD experiences, rugged gravel roads, and hidden gems across New Zealand.
• Golden Aotearoa
• Aotearoa Regular Tours
• French Regular Tours

Products and services

• REST NZ Tours A collection of off-the-beaten-track 4WD and self-drive New Zealand tours covering remote and scenic locations, rugged gravel roads, forests, and unique Kiwi hospitality experiences. Six sub-itineraries range from 15 to 29 days and target travelers seeking authentic experiences away from mainstream tourist routes. Sold to end clients via B2B travel agent partners.
• Aotearoa Regular Tours Weekly-departing regular guided tours of New Zealand designed for Spanish and Italian speaking visitors, fully accompanied by knowledgeable and charismatic tour guides. Sold to international travel agent partners serving these language markets.
• French Regular Tours (Splendeur and Mosaic) Specialized regular guided tours for French-speaking visitors to New Zealand, featuring 14-day (Splendeur) and 15-day (Mosaic) itineraries fully accompanied by professional tour guides. Sold via B2B travel trade partners.
• Golden Aotearoa Regular Tour (Hindi) 11-day full-board small group tour led by Hindi-speaking guides covering New Zealand highlights from Auckland to Christchurch. Features guaranteed monthly departures with no minimum numbers, and includes Indian and local cuisine. Sold via B2B travel trade partners serving the Hindi-speaking market.
• FIT Travel Flexible Independent Travel services for clients traveling independently in New Zealand, including guided walks, rail journeys, motorhome itineraries, and self-drive packages. Coordinated and sold to end clients via B2B travel agent partners.
• Group Travel Group travel coordination services for parties of 10 to 400+ people, including coach touring, special interest groups, incentive travel, and cruise ship transfers and excursions. Sold to travel trade partners, corporates, and incentive buyers.
• NZ Golf and Travel Specialized golf travel services and packages for New Zealand, providing access to premier golf courses (such as Te Arai Links) and supporting accommodation and non-golfer activities. Provided through a dedicated partner site.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tours depart weekly (Aotearoa regular tours for Spanish/Italian speakers)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Budget Rental CarscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBudget Rental Cars is listed as a supplier partner with Terms & Conditions and Fleet Guide documentation available through Pacific Destinations' client tools portal for partner use in booking vehicle rentals.
• Go RentalscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGo Rentals is a supplier partner providing rental vehicle services, with Trade Guide 26/27 and Insurance Excess Table documentation available through Pacific Destinations' supplier documents portal.
• Fullers360coreTechnology or IntegrationFullers360 is the premier provider of ferry and harbour cruise services on Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, providing transport to key destinations including Waiheke Island and Rangitoto Island. Pacific Destinations features Fullers360 services in their itineraries and news content, offering clients experiences including the Taste of Waiheke tour and Reserve Ferry services.
• Altitude Tours and RealNZcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilford Sound Business Class is a collaboration between Altitude Tours and RealNZ, launched in late 2025. This premium travel experience combines luxury coach travel in Mercedes Sprinters with cruise aboard the MV Sinbad, offering curated experiences for discerning travelers booked through Pacific Destinations.
• Te Arai LinkscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTe Arai Links is a world-class golf and lifestyle destination north of Auckland featuring South Course (designed by Tom Doak) and North Course (designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw). Pacific Destinations promotes Te Arai Links as a premium golf destination option for their clients, featuring it in their news and tour offerings.
• Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland AirportminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTe Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport is New Zealand's first 5-star airport hotel, steps away from the international terminal. Pacific Destinations features this property as an option for arriving or departing travelers.
• InterContinental AucklandminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInterContinental Auckland, Auckland's first 5-star luxury InterContinental Hotel, opened January 2024 at One Queen Street in the Commercial Bay precinct. Pacific Destinations features this property as a premium accommodation option.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Haka Tourism Group: New Zealand–headquartered full-service inbound tour operator offering FIT, group, and guided tours across NZ, directly competing with Pacific Destinations for international travel-agent bookings into New Zealand.
• Real Journeys: Major NZ tourism operator (now part of Ngāi Tahu Tourism) running cruises and sightseeing in Fiordland and beyond; an established inbound NZ tour and activity provider that competes with PDNZ's FIT and group product lines.
• MoaTrek: New Zealand small-group adventure and guided tour operator offering fully accompanied multi-day itineraries — directly comparable to PDNZ's Aotearoa Regular Tours and group-travel product.
• Active Adventures New Zealand: NZ-based small-group adventure tour operator serving international travelers; competes head-to-head with PDNZ's REST NZ Tours 4WD/self-drive hiking itineraries for adventure-focused inbound clients.
• Kiwi Experience: Long-established New Zealand hop-on/hop-off backpacker touring company serving international backpackers; a competing NZ inbound tour operator with overlapping international travel-agent distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Tourism Holdings Limited (THL): NZ/AU's largest integrated tourism operator (rentals, motorhomes, tourism parks). A broader incumbent with overlapping NZ inbound capability but a portfolio rather than a focus on inbound tour operations.
• Intrepid Travel: Global small-group sustainable tour operator with a New Zealand product range; a much larger incumbent whose NZ itineraries overlap with PDNZ's group and multilingual tours.
• G Adventures: Worldwide small-group adventure tour operator with established NZ itineraries; comparable on small-group tour operating model and B2B/agent distribution, though at far larger scale.
• APT Touring (APT Travel Group): Australia/NZ premium escorted touring brand; a broader incumbent whose NZ itineraries and coach touring directly overlap with PDNZ's group and FIT touring products.

Emerging players

• Audley Travel: Bespoke international travel specialist with a dedicated NZ destination offering; comparable inbound tour-operator business model (tailor-made itineraries served by a tariff-style partner layer) at a different scale and with more D2C emphasis.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/pacific_destinations
• Xx.com/PDFiji

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pacific Destinations