The Insurance Council today has congratulated all New Zealanders involved in the recent APEC conference in New Zealand.
Insurers have noted with real pleasure front page stories around the world like the one in the Washington Post of
Tuesday 14 September which gives New Zealand prominence very few could afford to buy in any marketing magazine.
The story by Washington Post writer John Harris, is entitled ‘The Big Plunge on the Day off in New Zealand – Clinton’s
aides leap off a bridge’ and the story shows New Zealand as the exciting, vibrant country of the future that New
Zealanders know it is.
Insurance Council members have along with other New Zealanders watched the enormous coverage given to our economy as a
business destination and as a tourism destination and believe that the APEC conference and all associated with it should
be congratulated for the benefits it is likely to bring to New Zealand.
Insurance Council Chief Executive, Chris Ryan, says our business leaders, trade officials, tourism sector and key
figures like the Prime Minister, Jenny Shipley, Burton Shipley and Don McKinnon, should be proud of the image New
Zealand has presented to the world. “The export earning potential for tourism in the form of the high spending US
visitor has been greatly enhanced, as has the image of generally of New Zealand internationally.”
APEC has shown that New Zealand is a country of highly skilled people, beautiful scenery, a first world infrastructure,
and a growing international reputation in industries as diverse as wine and tourism, to information technology and fine
wool production.
In equivalent advertising value, the publicity for New Zealand internationally would far outweigh the cost of hosting
APEC. The success of APEC means New Zealand has made a highly profitable investment in the future of our country.
The publicity brought to New Zealand is something insurers based in New Zealand are very proud of and have received very
positive feedback from their colleagues internationally on the coverage received as a consequence.
ENDS