South America Agent Visit starts 2007

‘South America Agent Visit starts 2007 Promotion Programme’

The generic promotion of New Zealand as an education destination kicks off for 2007 with a visit by five education agents from South America. During their 12 days in New Zealand they will visit a range of institutions in both the North and South Islands in a programme organised by peak industry body Education New Zealand.

‘International Education is a key contributor to the economic, educational and cultural wellbeing of New Zealand’ says Stuart Boag, spokesperson for Education New Zealand. ‘Last year, tens of thousands of students from all around the world chose New Zealand as there educator of choice. There is intense global competition for students, and we are working hard to help ensure that New Zealand gets its share’.

‘South America is a small but significant market for New Zealand’ says Stuart Boag. ‘Whilst Brazil is fairly well established as a good market, numbers of students from other countries in the region have been quite low. However, we have seen encouraging increases from Chile and Colombia, and interest from Argentina and Uruguay. Our institutions are facing tough competition from the USA and Canada, whilst the cost of travel to New Zealand makes it harder to attract students, especially short term. However, there is growing awareness that for those students that do make the effort it is well worthwhile’.

‘Bringing agents to New Zealand is just one component of a multi-faceted marketing strategy’ says Stuart Boag. ‘New Zealand will also be represented at a range of education fairs and events in countries throughout South America. Ultimately our success in the market is dependent on the programmes that institutions offer, and the amount of effort they can put into nurturing and building relationships with agents and providers in country. Agent visits to New Zealand create a platform for those relationships to flourish, and ensure that agents can see for themselves not only the quality of programmes available, but also how attractive New Zealand is as a destination for South American students’.

Summary:
When? 11th – 22nd February 2007

Who? Five agents – one each from Chile, Colombia, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. They will be escorted by Education New Zealand staff whilst here.

Where? The agents will be visiting institutions in the following regions:
- Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington

Education New Zealand encourages media interviews with institutions and the visiting agents, and can facilitate interviews at your request.

ENDS

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