Time for NZ tourism to dazzle the world

Time for NZ tourism to dazzle the world

Now the excitement of Rugby World Cup 2011 is fading, what's next for New Zealand's tourism industry?

TRENZ 2012 will be tourism operators' next big opportunity to dazzle the international marketplace with the very best New Zealand has to offer travellers. Applications for tourism operators to take part in New Zealand's premier international tourism trade event open at noon today (Friday 11 November). Applications can be made at www.trenz.co.nz

In 2012, TRENZ will return to the Southern Lakes region for the second year running. The event will take place at the Queenstown Events Centre, 7-10 May 2012.

Delegates at TRENZ 2011 rated it "the best TRENZ yet". The 280 New Zealand operators who took part reported their TRENZ attendance generated a total of $164 million of new business over 12 months.

"Quality New Zealand tourism operators and organisations can't afford not to be at TRENZ 2012," says Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) Chief Executive Tim Cossar. "In today's challenging trading environment, no other event will bring them face to face with so many influential international trade Buyers, eager to talk business."

More than 200 travel and tourism Buyers from New Zealand's major visitor markets will attend the event, to negotiate contracts with operators for the forthcoming tourism seasons. Travel media representatives from around the world will also be at TRENZ 2012.

"Buyers are on the look-out for new tourism experiences they can offer their clients and we know that New Zealand has many fantastic experiences that travellers won't find anywhere else. They were wowed by the Southern Lakes region in 2011, and TIA is confident the location will help attract more Buyers in 2012, especially after Lonely Planet recently named the region among its top 10 for 2012," Mr Cossar says.

Southern Lakes chairman Dave Hawkey says the region is delighted to welcome the world's travel industry to TRENZ in the Southern Lakes for a second year.

"Hosting this influential event is a wonderful opportunity for the region and we know from last year's feedback, both Buyers and Exhibitors valued spending time in this spectacular part of New Zealand. The Southern Lakes regions of Queenstown, Lake Wanaka and Fiordland combine to make one of New Zealand's most popular and diverse visitor destinations with a wealth of experiences and stunning landscapes. We very much look forward to working with TIA to produce another successful TRENZ for buyers, exhibitors and media alike."

A number of improvements and innovations that will add real value for both international travel Buyers and New Zealand tourism operators are planned for TRENZ 2012. And successful innovations from the 2011 event, like the "Famil Afternoon" which saw delegates enjoying first-hand some of the region's tourism activities, will be repeated.

Applications to attend TRENZ 2012 will close at 5pm, Thursday 1 December 2011.

About TRENZ

TIA manages TRENZ, which brings together about 280 New Zealand tourism operators (Exhibitors) with a similar number of invited international travel and tourism buyers and media from New Zealand's major tourism markets. The event directly helps to grow New Zealand's tourism industry, worth $9.7 billion in foreign exchange annually. Hosted by the Southern Lakes region, TRENZ 2012 will be at the Queenstown Events Centre, 7-10 May 2012.

TRENZ is supported by Tourism New Zealand, Air New Zealand, Qantas, host region Southern Lakes and other industry partners.

For more information visit www.trenz.co.nz

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