American Travel Writers Choose Wellington for 2011 Convention

Hosting the Society of American Travel Writers Annual Convention in 2011 will be worth millions to Wellington, Positively Wellington Tourism chief executive David Perks says.

Positively Wellington Tourism, Tourism New Zealand and Conventions Incentives New Zealand – with further support from Air New Zealand - have successfully bid to host the event, which will see up to 350 American travel writers convene in the capital for up to six days.

“The convention offers Wellington and the rest of New Zealand the opportunity to showcase itself to an influential group of writers at a time when we expect the American market to be returning to growth. The timing couldn’t possibly be better,” Mr Perks says.

The convention itself will see an estimated $2.25m spent in Wellington, just weeks after the $45m economic windfall forecast for the capital’s hosting of seven RWC 2011 matches.

“But that’s just the beginning. Where Wellington is really set to benefit is through inspiring the convention’s delegates to spread word about the ‘best little capital in the world’. We’ll be hosting 500 delegates with journalists writing for millions of readers – and if there’s one thing we know, it’s that international media who come to Wellington, absolutely positively love Wellington.”

It is expected that writers from across the US and Canada will attend, representing publications including National Geographic Traveller, the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Condé Nast Traveller, Elite Traveller and the New Yorker, as well as various travel guides and news websites.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive George Hickton says that as well as attending the convention in Wellington, delegates will also have the opportunity to travel around New Zealand pre and post the event.

"With a massive media industry, the US is a tough market to get our message across in. It wouldn't normally be possible to host such a big group of media from right across North America and this event is an enormous opportunity to gain widespread coverage for New Zealand.

"The fact that the event comes immediately after the 2011 Rugby World Cup is also important. It will help us maintain the boost in profile in what's already going to be a big year for New Zealand on the international stage."

The American writers’ society chose Wellington over Israel and a cruise in Caribbean. Mr Perks said the ease and affordability of conferencing in the city had been a major selling point, as well as the opportunity for the writers to travel around New Zealand.

Latest figures show the capital continues to defy a national downturn in the conference market, with delegate days spent in the city increasing 12% in 2008 compared to the year before. The number of delegate days throughout New Zealand declined by 12% in the same period.

“In the current market it’s vital to maintain quality, but get value for money – that’s what Wellington offers and that’s why we’re significantly increasing our market share,” Mr Perks said.

Dates are yet to be confirmed for the Society of American Travel Writers Convention, which will be held in October or November 2011.

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