Williment Education Travel

Worldwide Sports, Cultural and Educational Experiences

General Questions

Do you offer overseas travel advice, and visa, passport and health information?

We are happy to offer advice on all the above.

How do I get a passport in New Zealand?

The Department of Internal Affairs issues passports - www.dia.govt.nz. Their website provides information about passports, and application forms.

What shall I check on my passport?

Check that you have a valid passport. Many countries require a passport to be valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry to the country. Your passport must be in good condition (ie. no tears on pages or dog ears) and also have spare blank pages.

Will I require any vaccines or inoculations?

We recommend that all tour groups seek professional advice from a Travel Doctor. We can arrange for a seminar with a representative from "The Travel Doctor" or similar, for the entire tour group to attend in order to learn about general safety when travelling, along with advice on vaccinations required.

Which countries do we need a Visa for?

Few countries require New Zealand passport holders to hold a visa for entry, but you will be advised if this is the case. Please also look on www.dia.govt.nz which has updated information regarding visa requirements for New Zealand Passport Holders. We can advise further for people travelling on other nationalities passports.

Is there a website which provides overseas travel advice?

www.safetravel.govt.nz offers New Zealand traveller's advice aimed at preparing themselves before going overseas.

What are the current departure taxes for New Zealand?

There are currently no Departure Taxes when leaving Auckland as the tax amount is incorporated into the flight ticket price. Departures from Christchurch and Wellington currently have a $25 per person departure tax.

Do I need insurance?

Most definitely, yes. Travel insurance is required for all visits abroad, and you have two options. You can either purchase insurance from us or arrange it yourself. If you already have your own travel insurance, please read 'the small print' to check what it does and doesn't include.

Can you provide insurance?

Yes. Our preferred supplier of insurance is Comprehensive Travel Insurance and details of this policy will be provided during the quoting stage. It is vital that you have adequate travel insurance for your tour. This must ensure that you are fully covered against unexpected cancellation charges, medical expenses arising abroad, loss of luggage and money and personal liability claims. Your insurance must also cover all the sports that you are playing on tour. Many schools have their own travel insurance policy. If your group does not have insurance, please call us for advice and a quote.

When is full payment required by Williment Education Travel?

You will be invoiced ten weeks prior to departure, for payment 60 days prior to travel.

Do you offer Financial Protection?

We are a member of TANNZ and IATA which provides for your protection in the event of our insolvency.

How are billets / home stays arranged?

Billeting (staying with host families) is available for some destinations and offers a great way of experiencing the country, forging international friendships and keeping the cost of the tour down. Please check your school policy on billeting before requesting it. Where billeting with host families is arranged, it is the responsibility of the tour staff to supervise and organise activities should any of the host families be unable to look after students at any time during the tour. We must stress that this supervision is not the responsibility of the host family, host school or Williment Education Travel. Parent's houses vary in size which is why we can never guarantee the exact composition of billets. Sometimes, you can get four guests to a billet but more often than not, it is a single guest to a single host. Students then have to use their social skills.

Can you offer travel assistance for interested supporters?

Yes, we have a dedicated Supporters Department. Please request our information leaflet for supporters tour packages.

Are tourists able to remain in a destination and return at a later date?

Yes, provided there is availability on the chosen return date, it will be possible to make arrangements to stay on or travel elsewhere. Please let us know your requirements. We call these tourist deviators. Deviators will more than likely have to pay additional costs.

What are the benefits of overseas tours?

They provide valuable and unique experiences. They develop self esteem, self confidence and independence. Staying with host families gives students an insight into the culture of the host country. It is important that we challenge and not over protect those for whom we are responsible.

Before the Tour

How do you match playing standards?

You are asked to give details of your own team's standards on the booking form, but the operator organising your tour will discuss standards with you in more detail once the arrangements are under way. This information is passed on to our representatives abroad in order to match standards.

When will we know the names of our hosts/opposition?

You will always be informed of these as soon as we are able. It is the first thing everybody likes to know but, being completely realistic, it tends to be the last.

What do they do about additional meals? Are they not all included?

When you enquire about your tour you will be sent a full estimate detailing everything currently included in our proposal, which includes meals. The number of meals will be dependent on what the accommodation may offer, when games are likely to take place and the possibilities of post-match hospitality. You will be responsible for all meals other than those included in the estimate.

What are the details of the complimentary polo shirts and kit bags provided by Williment Education Travel?

Every tourist receives a sports bag and a polo shirt. The bag has one main compartment and two side compartments. It will have the school name, destination and year of travel. Each bag is also numbered e.g. 1-42 and will come in different colours so that the school may choose (to a degree) the colour of the bag so that it matches with schools colours. The polo shirts also come in a range of colours and will have the school name, destination and year of travel. These bags and polo shirts are complimentary within the tour cost.

How does Williment Education Travel help schools with fundraising?

We will donate sports apparel and/or sporting memorabilia to a school that has booked a tour with us. Williment Education Travel also has some great fundraising ideas for tour organisers. Please request from your tour organiser the Williment Education Travel fundraising help sheet.

Departure Day

What time is check in?

Williment Education Travel requires you to meet at the airport no later than three hours before your international flight is due to depart. A Williment Education Travel representative will meet you at the airport to support with the check in process.

What is the baggage allowance for the airline we are travelling with?

Williment Education Travel will advise you on these details relating to the specific airline you are travelling with prior to departure.

What is the baggage allowance on oversized items and sporting equipment?

Every airline has different rules applying to oversized bags and sporting equipment. Williment Education Travel will advise you on these details relating to the specific airline you are travelling with prior to departure.

What are the current restrictions on cabin bags?

Restrictions relating to the size and number of bags allowed through security remain in place for all air travellers departing from any New Zealand airport. There are different restrictions on cabin bags depending on the airline.

Can I request a special meal?

If you need a specific meal for medical reasons, religious, ethnic or dietary requirements please let Williment Education Travel know as soon as possible and we will make the necessary arrangements.

What are the new security regulations when leaving New Zealand?

From 31 March 2007 passengers departing New Zealand on an international flight will have to comply with new security regulations when hand-carrying liquids, gels and aerosols. The new measures are:

All liquids, aerosols or gels such as drinks, creams, perfumes, sprays, gels, toothpaste, lip gloss and mascaras must be in individual containers not greater than 100ml in volume.
All containers must be carried in a re-sealable transparent plastic bag no larger than one litre (approximately 20cm x 20cm or 8 inches x 8 inches).
Only one bag is permitted per passenger
The plastic bag must be sealed and presented separately from all other carry-on baggage at the screening point.
Liquids in containers of more than 100mls can be packed in your checked in baggage.

Can I purchase duty free goods once I have cleared security?

Yes, all customers may purchase non-liquid items before or after security and liquid items only after you have cleared security (this includes purchase of water bottles for taking on board the aircraft).

Touring

Who will meet us on arrival at our destination?

Most tours will be met by a representative at the destination airport. If this is not the case for your particular tour, you will be advised why and given full details of the transport company and driver meeting your tour.

Will our driver be able to speak English?

You should not expect your bus driver to be able to speak English, although they sometimes have a basic knowledge.

Will our hotel rooms be all together?

We do request all hotels to allocate rooms as close as possible to each other. However, the sheer logistics of reservations covering a range of nights can make this very difficult for hotels to guarantee.

How will we get our kit washed?

If hosted, the host families usually ask what needs to be done as a first question! If staying in hotels, the concierge on arrival will inform you of the location of the nearest launderette. Most hotels have a laundry service but this service can be very expensive.

What happens if a player gets injured?

Every tourist must be properly insured, either through the insurance we offer, an alternative you may choose to take, or through the school policy. It is important to keep a record of all expenses incurred that may subsequently form part of an insurance claim (this is especially important if payment is by cash).

After the Tour

Our Tour Managers and their management staff work extremely hard with our tour organisers to ensure that the best possible tour is delivered and that participants do turn dreams into reality. Our Tour Feedback Form is the first part of our post-tour service as it asks questions about the Tour Manager's satisfaction of the delivery of every aspect of your tour.