Kinloch Manor & Villas in Taupō, New Zealand, has appointed international golf, tourism and lifestyle PR and marketing agency Azalea to increase its profile and develop new business in key overseas markets.
Home to New Zealand’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, Kinloch Manor & Villas will work with Azalea across international media relations and tour operator development, with North America and Europe the initial priorities.
Azalea will use its 20 years of experience in golf tourism and its relationships with specialist golf and luxury travel operators to introduce Kinloch Manor & Villas to new partners, while supporting existing relationships and identifying opportunities in Asia-Pacific.
Located above Lake Taupō on New Zealand’s North Island, Kinloch Manor & Villas has established an international reputation since the Kinloch Club opened in 2007 with the Manor opening in 2016. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the par-72 course was created in the style of a traditional links, with firm playing surfaces, contoured fairways, deep bunkering and large, undulating greens. It is rated #8 in Golf Digest rankings and the Editor’s Choice award winner for Best Resort in New Zealand and Australia.
The Kinloch Club boasts New Zealand’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature designed golf course
Kinloch Manor & Villas offers a luxury lodge retreat overlooking the championship course and Lake Taupō. The wider Kinloch collection also includes Treetops Lodge & Estate near Rotorua, an exclusive private estate nestled within native forest, where guests enjoy refined accommodation, exceptional cuisine. Both lodges offer an unrivalled array of immersive on-estate experiences, from guided fly fishing, private hiking and cycling trails to wellness, wildlife encounters and bespoke outdoor adventures.
Azalea’s initial focus will be on building Kinloch Manor & Villas’ relationships with specialist golf and luxury tour operators in North America and Europe, while also identifying opportunities in Asia-Pacific. This will be supported by international media activity, familiarisation visits and introductions to potential golf and travel partners.
Andy Barwell, founder and director of Azalea, said: “The Kinloch Club is a course that deserves to be much better known among golfers outside New Zealand. Having the country’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature course gives us a very strong starting point, but there is much more to the experience when you combine the golf with Kinloch Manor & Villas and Treetops Lodge & Estate.
“We have 20 years building relationships with golf media, tour operators and the wider travel industry and the focus will be on putting Kinloch Manor & Villas in front of the people who can make a difference, particularly in North America and Europe.”
John Sax, owner of Kinloch Manor & Villas, said: “Jack Nicklaus created a course that is distinctly different from anything else in New Zealand and we want more international golfers to know about it and make it part of their trip to the country. At the same time, we believe that Kinloch Manor & Villas and its fantastic activities in addition to golf will make it the premier basis of operation for golfers and luxury travellers visiting the North Island of New Zealand.
“North America and Europe are important markets for us and Azalea already has the relationships with specialist golf tour and luxury travel operators, travel advisors and media that we want to reach and we look forward to working together to grow that international audience.”