New Zealand Māori Tourism rolls out the red carpet
MEDIA RELEASE
7 November 2017
2017117
For immediate release
: https://maoritourism.co.nz/,
http://cccnz.org.nz, http://en.cnta.gov.cn/
.
New Zealand Māori Tourism rolls out the
red carpet
New Zealand Māori Tourism is welcoming a high profile Chinese delegation, led by Mr Li Shihong, Vice Chairman China National Tourism Administration, to Wellington on Friday 17 November.
The Vice Chairman will be officially welcomed at the Wharewaka on Wellington’s waterfront, followed by a ceremony where NZ Māori Tourism, the China Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand (CCCNZ), and China Travel Service (CTS) NZ Ltd will announce their partnership and plans to promote the China New Zealand Year of Tourism 2019.
Premiere Li Keqiang announced the China New Zealand Year of Tourism 2019 during his visit to New Zealand in March. The year provides opportunities to host a series of bilateral, commercial, educational, trade, cultural and tourism events to showcase the special relationship between China and New Zealand.
NZ Māori Tourism is hosting the conference as part of its strategic partnership with the CCCNZ for a series of bilateral, commercial and cultural events. They view the relationship as a natural progression given the massive influence of Chinese visitors in New Zealand’s economy and Premiere Li Keqiang announcing the 2019 China-New Zealand Year of Tourism during his visit here in March.
“New
Zealand Māori Tourism welcomes the opportunity to further
strengthen our relationship with CCCNZ and CTS to provide a
centralised platform to market and promote the year-long
event to the New Zealand and China public.
“When
meeting CNTA Chairman Li Jinzao earlier this year, we made a
commitment to work closely together to grow the New Zealand
China tourism industry. The support of the CCCNZ and CTS
enhances the work and relationships of both organisations to
ensure events undertaken will produce mutually beneficial
results” says Pania Tyson-Nathan, NZ Māori Tourism Chief
Executive.
With 18.9% of all tourist activities being
specifically related to Māori experiences, it is important
to nurture the operators to ensure they can meet demand.
However, as visitor numbers from China are down just over 2
per cent for the year to June, both CCCNZ and NZ Māori
Tourism recognise that NZ cannot rest on its scenic laurels
but need to work together to create strategic targets that
benefit the local economy.
CCCNZ, a local organisation
that promotes and supports Chinese owned business in New
Zealand has been keen to support the relationship as part of
its aim to highlight high quality ventures that can be
trusted. David Wang, Chairman of the CCCNZ said, ““We
have partnered with New Zealand Māori Tourism because
their connections to the Māori export sector are important
as Chinese tourists become more discerning”. Both
organisations have created special events which will be
announced at the Media Conference to celebrate China-New
Zealand Year of Tourism 2019.
NOTE:
• The Media Conference is hosted by New
Zealand Māori Tourism and China Chamber of Commerce in New
Zealand (CCCNZ) to be broadcast offshore by the media
travelling with the delegation, with local media invited to
attend.
• The official welcome and Media Conference
will be held next Friday 17 November 2017, 10:00 to 12:00pm
at Wharewaka Centre, 2 Taranaki Street, Wellington.
•
The delegation will fly to Auckland to officiate at the
Opening Ceremony on 18 November for the two day
“Beautiful Journey Through
China” showcase in New Lynn
Mall for the general public. China Travel Service (NZ) Ltd.
is responsible for bilateral tourism promotion between NZ
and the PRC as the official representative of the China
National Tourism Office.
About CNTA,
see http://en.cnta.gov.cn/
China National Tourism Administration is the Chinese government
authority responsible for the development of tourism in the
country as a subordinate to the State Council with its
headquarters based in Beijing, supported by overseas and
provincial branches. CNTA acts as a ministry and is also
responsible for managing the outflow of tourists from China
abroad.