Equal parts exhilarating and emotive

TRENZ 2019 host destination Rotorua has set out a sample platter of its best tourism offerings for over 600 delegates who are taking part in the TRENZ Activity Afternoon, where they can take a boat tour of the site of the lost eighth Natural Wonder of the World, white water raft the highest commercially rafted waterfall, or experience the spiritual atmosphere of a living Māori village.

TRENZ 2019 will be held in Rotorua on 13-16 May, and with 386 international and New Zealand travel and tourism buyers arriving to meet around 300 of the country’s top tourism operators, it’s going to be a world-class showcase of Rotorua’s well-earned reputation as a tourism playground.

“On Wednesday, 15 May, delegates will pause their business meetings to experience first-hand the authentic New Zealand tourism they may have only read about,” says Chris Roberts, Tourism Industry Aotearoa’s Chief Executive. TIA organises and manages TRENZ, the $39.1 billion tourism industry’s most important international trade show, on behalf on the Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust.

“Destination Rotorua has prepared an activity afternoon programme that will be equal parts exhilarating and emotive, where delegates will experience some fantastic activities spanning adventure, Māori culture, food and beverage and eco-tourism.”

Delegates will be getting their feet wet and their hearts racing by rafting the highest commercially rafted waterfall, or hiking the volcanic terrain of Mt Tarawera.

A boat trip to explore the site of the famous Pink and White Terraces under Lake Rotomahana is described as “seeing the birthplace of tourism in New Zealand.” It’s a mesmerising experience to visualise the eruption of Mount Tarawera in 1886, which destroyed the Terraces, the lost eighth Natural Wonder of the World, and in doing so, created the world’s youngest geothermal valley.

High on the list of achievements for New Zealand’s tourism industry is its focus on authenticity, and it’s what Rotorua offers in spades. For those looking to experience some famous Māori manaakitanga, they can spend an afternoon at a living Māori Village, taking part in a spiritual rongoa (Māori healing) experience, and learning the medicinal uses of natural fauna with a qualified Māori medicinal herbalist.

Destination Rotorua Chief Executive Michelle Templer says the city is looking forward to hosting TRENZ 2019.

“The activity afternoon is always a highlight because it gives our operators a chance to showcase the wealth of activities on offer here and the manaakitanga that our city is known for.

“Rotorua is the place where New Zealand’s tourism industry began so it’s a privilege to be able to share the stories of our past alongside some of our newest and most contemporary experiences with the wider travel industry.”

TIA Chief Executive Chris Roberts says the time away from business schedules experiencing the tourism action gives delegates the chance to network informally, make new contacts and identify new business opportunities.

“The valuable relationships built between host region Rotorua and the visiting delegates create economic benefits which go straight back into the local tourism and hospitality industries.”

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