For immediate release
Saturday 6 July, 2013

Tourism New Zealand welcomes the announcement of National Convention Centre agreement

Tourism New Zealand acting Chief Executive Justin Watson, and Chair Kerry Prendergast today welcomed the agreement between SKYCITY and the New Zealand Government to proceed with the development of the New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland.

"Tourism New Zealand is charged with growing the value of the visitor economy, and we strongly support the agreement to establish a world class international convention centre in New Zealand," says Kerry.

"Convention centres anchor growth strategies for cities by providing for international and domestic business tourism. An appropriately sized convention centre in Auckland will underpin the city's visitor growth aspirations," she says.

Justin Watson says the convention centre will support Tourism New Zealand's work to attract high-value business visitors and large international conferences, work that received endorsement from the Government in Budget 2013 with an additional $34 million in funding over the next four years.

"These funds will be used to really enhance our promotion of New Zealand as an attractive and unique destination for international meetings, incentives, conventions and events.

"International delegates deliver the highest average daily spend of all visitors, spending over $3,000 while holiday, Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) and business arrivals spend under $3,000.

"They also offer significant potential value when they can be encouraged to extend their business stay for a holiday, and bring their family with them.

"We look forward to playing a role in the international marketing of New Zealand as a convention destination, and working closely with the team at Sky City," he says.

ENDS

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