TRENZ 2008, NZ’s biggest carbon neutral event

Media Release

Countdown to TRENZ 2008, NZ’s biggest carbon neutral event

21 May 2008

The countdown is on to New Zealand’s biggest tourism event, which is also New Zealand’s biggest carbon neutral event – TRENZ 2008 – kicking off in Rotorua on Monday 26 May.

It is being preceded this week (21-23 May) by PURE LUXURY New Zealand 2008 in Queenstown, which will also be carbon neutral. PURE LUXURY New Zealand 2008 is an exclusive, business-to-business event bringing together New Zealand’s best luxury travel, accommodation and activity providers with top international buyers.

Meanwhile, more than 300 travel and tourism Buyers and international media are today preparing to travel from around the world to TRENZ, where they will get the latest information on New Zealand’s top accommodation, activities and transport from almost 320 tourism operators.

Held over four days, TRENZ is New Zealand’s biggest annual tourism business event. The Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) estimates that business generated by TRENZ is worth about $2 billion to the economy each year, out of total annual foreign exchange earnings by tourism of $8.3 billion.

Last year TRENZ also became New Zealand’s biggest carbon neutral event, a feat that TIA is committed to repeating this year.

“Environmental sustainability is an increasingly important factor in people’s decisions to travel internationally, with awareness of climate change issues growing quickly. Given that New Zealand’s natural environment is the main reason international visitors come here, the tourism industry is committed to doing all it can to protect and enhance the environment on which it depends,” TIA Acting Chief Executive Oscar Nathan says.

With more than 1200 people attending, an event like TRENZ generates an enormous amount of waste and emissions, particularly given the long distances many delegates must travel to reach Rotorua.

TIA, which manages both TRENZ and PURE LUXURY New Zealand, is making significant efforts to minimise these emissions and waste. For instance, 10,000 plastic water cups were used and thrown away at TRENZ 2007 due to contamination. This year, all those cups are made of biodegradable material so they can be composted.

TIA has worked with caterers and other suppliers to both events to use recyclable and environmentally friendly materials, cut paper use and include as many regionally sourced ingredients as possible in meals.

Delegates have contributed to offsetting unavoidable emissions through their attendance fees.

“We want to clearly demonstrate to our international delegates that New Zealand is serious about reducing our impacts on the environment,” Mr Nathan says.

Destination Rotorua Tourism Marketing General Manager Don Gunn says the city is looking forward to welcoming the international TRENZ delegates back to Rotorua.

“We’ll ensure everyone experiences the true spirit of manaakitanga (hospitality) during their time here.”

TRENZ 2008 and PURE LUXURY New Zealand 2008 are managed by TIA as agent of the Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust and in partnership with Tourism New Zealand, Air New Zealand and other industry supporters. For more information, visit www.trenz.co.nz and www.pureluxury.co.nz

ENDS

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