Media release
26 June 2013

Auckland wins leading tourism education conference

Auckland has scored another coup which enhances its reputation as an international convention destination.

The city has won the rights to host a major tourism and hospitality conference which is expected to attract 400 mostly international academics and inject more than $750,000 into the Auckland economy.

Auckland was selected ahead of cities in India and Taiwan to stage the Asia-Pacific Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education over three days in June 2015.

Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) worked in partnership to secure the event, a result announced today by ATEED (Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development) General Manager Destination and Marketing Rachael Carroll at New Zealand’s national conventions industry tradeshow, MEETINGS.

Ms Carroll says it is a real achievement for Auckland to attract one of Asia-Pacific’s leading annual events for the hospitality and tourism education sector. 

“Tourism and hospitality are vital to Auckland’s economy, with tourism contributing more than $3 billion annually to our region, and one in 10 Aucklanders employed in the sector. We are certain our educators will take advantage of this conference and the chance to exchange the very latest knowledge and ideas with their peers from across the Asia-Pacific,” she says.

AUT Senior Lecturer of Hospitality and Tourism Dr Peter Kim says this is a great opportunity for the university.

"We are excited to host this prestigious international conference at AUT. It will give us the chance to showcase the university, and our research and education in tourism and hospitality, to a global academic community," he says.

The conference organisors said Auckland was selected to host the event based on AUT’s credibility, Auckland’s destination appeal, and being a world-class city with a strong reputation for hosting first rate conferences. 

The tourism industry is one of ATEED’s (Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development) key economic growth sectors.  ATEED – on behalf of Auckland Council – aims to double the contribution from the visitor economy from $3.33 billion in 2010 to $6 billion in 2021.

Auckland Convention Bureau markets Auckland as a destination for meetings, incentives, conventions and events. Find out more at aucklandnz.com/conventions or email conventions@aucklandnz.com.

ENDS

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