TRENZ returning to Rotorua in 2008

TRENZ returning to Rotorua in 2008

TRENZ, New Zealand's biggest annual tourism business event, will return to Rotorua in 2008, the Tourism Industry Association (TIA) has announced.

TRENZ (Tourism Rendezvous New Zealand) was held in Rotorua for the first time in May this year and was very successful, TIA Chief Executive Fiona Luhrs says. Research showed that more than 65% of delegates rated Rotorua as an 'excellent' host region for TRENZ, and rated their attendance at TRENZ 2007 as 'very successful' (51%) or 'successful' (49%).

"The new Energy Events Centre was an excellent venue and we had wonderful support from Rotorua's city leaders and tourism sector. We are delighted to be bringing TRENZ back to Rotorua and we are confident the city will see long-term benefits from being able to showcase its attractions to hundreds of international travel and tourism buyers."

TRENZ 2008 will take place 26-29 May 2008. It has traditionally been held immediately after its Fijian equivalent, Bula Fiji, and before ATE (Australian Tourism Exchange), to facilitate travel arrangements for buyers who are travelling long distances. However, TRENZ 2008 will take place three weeks before ATE, to be held in Perth in mid-June.

"Buyers have told us they find it increasingly difficult to be away from their offices for two or three weeks, with the result that some have decided not to attend TRENZ regularly. Others send a different representative to each event. Our research also shows they prefer to travel to New Zealand in May, rather than June," Ms Luhrs says.

"Our aim in moving TRENZ away from ATE is to open up other possibilities like being able to offer buyers more opportunities to visit other regions of New Zealand before and after the event, and in the better May weather. This can only benefit our tourism industry."

TRENZ will bring together approximately 350 New Zealand tourism businesses and a similar number of international buyers for four days of totally focused business-to-business activity. It is an important forum for the New Zealand industry to showcase new travel and tourism product, forge relationships with international buyers and write business for the seasons ahead. About 60 international and New Zealand media also attend the event.

The number of exhibitors at TRENZ is likely to be scaled back in 2008, Ms Luhrs says. At around 400, exhibitors have exceeded the number of buyers in recent years, and some are left with too many free appointments and do not get as much out of the event as they want to.

"By reducing the number of exhibitors to around 350, we can ensure we are putting only the very best New Zealand operators in front of buyers, and that exhibitors maximise their investment in TRENZ with fuller appointment schedules," Ms Luhrs says.

PURE LUXURY New Zealand returns

PURE LUXURY New Zealand - also a business-to-business event –focuses on the very best luxury products and experiences New Zealand has to offer. It will be held on 21-23 May at a venue still to be announced.

The inaugural PURE LUXURY event was held at Treetops Lodge & Estate near Rotorua in May this year. It was highly successful for 40 of New Zealand's most sophisticated accommodation, transport and activity operations, Ms Luhrs says.

"Because PURE LUXURY is a much smaller event that TRENZ, we are able to move it around the country relatively easily.Wherever we can, we will hold it at a different location each year to enable the luxury buyers to see as much of the country and its product as possible," she says.

"The luxury market is an increasingly important part of New Zealand's tourism industry and this event will help grow the sector by showing buyers the quality product available to their discerning clientele," Ms Luhrs says.

"Most have little idea of the quality and sophistication of New Zealand accommodation, transport, activities and attractions."

TRENZ and PURE LUXURY New Zealand are managed by TIA in partnership with Tourism New Zealand and other industry supporters. For more information, visit www.trenz.co.nz

Key statistics about tourism:

* Tourism is the world's fastest growing industry

* New Zealand tourism arrivals have increased by 61% since 1999 to 2.4 million

* Forecast annual growth is 4% on average for at least the next five years

* Tourism is New Zealand's single largest export sector and contributed $8.3 billion dollars to the economy in the year ended March 2006. That is 19.2% of exports

* Domestic tourism contributes $10.3 billion to the economy each year

* Tourism directly and indirectly employs 10 percent of the work force. That is one in 10 jobs in New Zealand.

* Tourism represents 8.9% ($12.8 billion) of gross domestic product and generates $531 million in GST returns from international visitors each year. Tourism is the only export sector whose international clients pay GST.

ENDS

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