Convention Centre will boost NZ economy

Convention Centre will boost NZ economy

Development of a national convention centre will give a significant boost to New Zealand’s economy, the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) says.

“A national convention centre able to host major international conferences is a key component of a successful visitor economy. Tourism development has been hampered by the inability of New Zealand to successfully market itself as a destination for international business conferences,” TIA Chief Executive Tim Cossar says.

TIA has long been advocating for a national convention centre. It was highlighted as a top priority in the 2008 Tourism Industry Election Manifesto https://secure.tianz.org.nz/manifesto/index.html

“TIA has been working with government to keep up momentum on this project and we’re delighted to see real progress being made,” Mr Cossar says.

“Development of a world-class convention centre will enable the industry to target a whole new market that can’t be accommodated by existing conference facilities. This is a completely untapped market segment for New Zealand, and will help us boost shoulder and low season travel.”

Conference delegates are high-spending visitors, and conferences lead to a range of downstream business and economic benefits for the wider community, he says. Conference travel can also create return business where delegates return to New Zealand for family holidays.

New Zealand has been lagging behind other major international destinations, including most Australian cities, in not having a national convention centre.

“This will raise our profile in the valuable business conference market,” Mr Cossar says.

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