Convention Centre for Auckland looks positive

MEDIA RELEASE 21 May 2009

Convention Centre for Auckland looks positive

At today’s Tourism Auckland Industry Update the Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, John Key, announced his support for investment in tourism facilities.

He said the government will commit $250,000 to conduct a feasibility study into the development of an international conference centre in Auckland that will cater for up to 4,000 people.

The announcement was made before an audience of more than 600 people at the Tourism Auckland event, held at the SKYCITY Convention Centre.

Tourism Auckland chief executive, Graeme Osborne, says he’s delighted with the government’s commitment to create a national convention centre.

“For New Zealand to remain competitive there’s a strong case for our country to have a national events facility of world-class scale and quality. I’m sure the majority of the C&I industry would support this.”

The Prime Minister said the feasibility study would be conducted over a six to 12 month period.

Auckland City Council will put a further $20,000 towards the feasibility study and contribute $30,000 for the business case.

According to Conventions & Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) the creation of a national convention centre is expected to generate approximately $80 million of economic contribution by 2015.

The convention and incentive industry is an attractive segment of the tourism industry that could, with more investment, provide in excess of $500 million of international visitor expenditure by 2015.

Additionally, conference and incentive visitors are more likely to visit in the shoulder season and some spend up to seven times more per day than the average for other international visitors.

At the event the Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of providing improved facilities for cruise ships, particularly in Auckland.

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