Specialist long-haul tour operator Quest Travel has launched its first ever stand alone New Zealand brochure featuring a wider range of hotels and specialist tours plus the brand new Qualmark quality rating scheme.

Unlike many of its competitors' brochures which only split New Zealand into North Island and South Island, Quest Travel has chosen to feature the country as eight distinct regions, with top tips on how to make the most of each. There is also a helpful section at the front of the brochure on special interest holidays - suggestions include Wildlife and Nature, Food and Wine, History and Culture, Indulgence, Fishing, Adventure, Gardens and Golf.

If still more information is needed, why not take advantage of the local knowledge of Quest Travel managing director (and New Zealander) Dave Simmons? Dave is making himself personally available to help with New Zealand enquiries, and his email address (davesimmons@questtravel.com) can be found on page three of the brochure.

WHAT'S NEW? Quest Travel pioneers new tourism quality rating scheme Quest Travel is the only UK tour operator to have introduced the Qualmark quality rating scheme in its brochure. This government-backed initiative is the first of its kind in New Zealand and covers all tourism businesses such as accommodation, attractions, activities, cultural experiences, rental cars and much more. All tourism businesses carrying the Qualmark rating have met a set of national quality standards, set by the tourism industry, based on what travellers want. The Qualmark logo denotes which businesses in the brochure have achieved the quality rating at time of going to print.

Boutique style properties offer a true flavour of New Zealand In addition to its extensive range of three and four star hotels, Quest Travel has now introduced many more boutique style properties. These include Orongo Bay Homestead in Russell, which comes highly recommended by Quest Travel for its gourmet cuisine and well-stocked wine cellar - the first underground wine cellar in New Zealand. Prices start from �83 per room based on stays between 1st May - 30th November 2004.

Escorted wine tour - enjoy the drinks while someone else drives! - 'Taste Temptations Wine and Food Odyssey'. Similar to the popular 'Classic New Zealand Wine Trail', this new tour operated by specialist company Moatrek has one subtle difference - someone else is doing the driving, making it much more fun when it comes to wine tasting! This luxury tour is limited to 17 travellers and only uses unique and boutique accommodation. The tour concentrates on vineyards in Hawkes Bay, Martinborough and Marlborough. This six-day tour costs from �1521 per person based on two sharing. Tours are available year round.

Other new tours include: - 'Mountains to the Sea'. As its name would suggest this six-day self-drive tour takes visitors around the central part of the South Island from the highest point at Mount Cook to the picturesque harbour of Christchurch. Highlights include an optional scenic flight over the magnificent mountain scenery and the local art gallery at Akaroa. The package costs from �490 per person, based on two sharing on tours taken before 31st March 2004.

- 'Midlife Adventure Tour'. This soft adventure tour provides participants the opportunity to try out a selection of activities with a trained guide. Over 13 days, options include sailing on Waitemata Harbour, hiking up Mount Ruapehu, kayaking in the Marlborough Sounds and ice walking on Fox Glacier. There are a couple of opportunities to enjoy a scenic flight over Mount Ruapehu and Aspring National Park. The tour is available in the summer months only with prices starting from �1819 per person, prior to 15th March 2004.

For further information or reservations contact Quest Travel on 0870 442 3513 or www.questtravel.com

For media information contact: Samantha Marsh The Saltmarsh Partnership Tel: 020 7928 1600 Email: samantha.marsh@saltmarshpr.co.uk