New products set to wow at TRENZ 2017

New products set to wow at TRENZ 2017

A world first extreme adventure activity, operators taking visitors off the beaten track and an upscale hotel returning to Christchurch are amongst the new tourism products that will be on show at TRENZ 2017.

TRENZ is the $35 billion New Zealand tourism industry’s premier international trade show. More than 370 trade and tourism Buyers will attend this year’s event in Auckland, 9-12 May 2017.

“These Buyers are the most influential in terms of sending visitors to New Zealand. They are coming to TRENZ to meet with 300 of the country’s leading tourism operators and will be seeking new and exciting tourism products and experiences they can sell to consumers in their home markets,” says Chris Roberts, Chief Executive of Tourism Industry Aotearoa which manages the event.

“We are very excited that this year’s TRENZ will showcase 75 incredibly diverse new products ranging from star gazing in Tekapo, to hunting and fishing safaris in Fiordland, to a Northland B&B targeting honeymooners, complete with an Italian bath, champagne and night walks for two!

“Positively, many of these new offerings will encourage travel to communities beyond the tourist hotspots and will help attract visitors throughout the year.”

Top Trail Hire & Tours will be promoting its new Ultimate Coast to Coast cycle package to TRENZ Buyers, working to build relationships and expand international visitor demand for a product that can be enjoyed year round, says Manager Ray Clarke.

“This product is also taking international visitors to small New Zealand towns that don’t usually experience that sort of quality tourism. It’s giving those communities a boost and we can already see business growth in accommodation, food suppliers and cafes supporting the cycle trail.”

Adventure tourism pioneers AJ Hackett Bungy will be meeting with TRENZ Buyers about their ‘world first’ extreme experience at the company’s Nevis site in Queenstown.

Under development with the help of a $500,000 grant from the Government’s Tourism Growth Partnership Fund, the new experience will combine height, speed and flight and promises to push thrill seekers to the limit, says Sales & Business Development Manager Kathleen Magon.

“We hope that TRENZ will help generate excitement and anticipation for our new product, as well as spotlight our existing range of soft and extreme adventure activities.”

IHG will be talking to TRENZ Buyers about the return of Crowne Plaza to Christchurch, the first major hotel to open in Christchurch in several years, says Simon Rees, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts Director of Sales & Marketing.

Due to open mid-year, the 4.5 star, 204-room hotel is situated opposite the former Crowne Plaza site, which was demolished following the 2011 earthquakes.

“It’s a milestone for us, both in terms of being part of the CBD and adding extra capacity to the city which will improve the options available to leisure and business travellers,” says Mr Rees.

Attending TRENZ for the first time, Once Upon A Trip is an inbound tour operator specialising in bespoke itineraries which also focus on taking visitors off the beaten track.

“After eight years successfully targeting the French market, it is time for us to expand into English speaking markets,” says Director Franck Lemaitre. “We are attending TRENZ to meet with Buyers to talk with them about our expertise and high level of service and the great alternatives we know for amazing kayaking, heli-landings, tramping and other activities away from areas that are crowded in the peak season.”

Wellington’s Bolton Hotel is also attending TRENZ for the first time.

“As an independent property, TRENZ offers a fantastic opportunity to network with others in the industry and to develop relationships with inbound and wholesale operators,” says the hotel’s Business Development Manager Amy Robinson.

“We are looking forward to meeting Buyers from a diverse range of markets and showing them that Wellington is more than just a gateway to the South Island. We are interested to find out what their clients are looking for so we in turn can deliver the best experience for our guests.”

Chris Roberts says the new products that will be on show at TRENZ 2017 highlight the significant investment being made in New Zealand’s $35 billion tourism industry.

“It’s vital the industry continues to develop new and exciting products if we are to achieve our Tourism 2025 aspirational goal of $41 billion in annual revenue.”

© Scoop Media