New Zealand on show in the UK

New Zealand on show in the UK

New Zealand is again being showcased internationally as a premiere tourism destination. The Kiwi experience is currently on show at the World Travel Mart (WTM), one of Europe's leading travel trade exhibitions.

Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) is promoting Destination New Zealand at the WTM through their internationally successful 100% Pure New Zealand brand. Supported by ten New Zealand tourism companies, including inbound travel agents and accommodation and transport providers, TNZ will share a purpose built stand with the Australian Tourism Commission throughout the four-day event.

Minister of Tourism Mark Burton, who visited the opening day of the WTM in London, said that this event represents one of the best avenues available for increasing New Zealand’s profile overseas.

“Tourism New Zealand has been involved in the WTM for 15 years. Over the years, it has offered our tourism sector ever-increasing opportunities to meet and update the international travel trade on New Zealand’s wide variety of tourism product, in an environment that facilitates business and selling opportunities.

“This year, 5000 contributors from 189 countries are taking part in the WTM. Estimates are that 22,000 tourism trade representatives and nearly 3,000 members of the international media will attend this event. What better way to heighten awareness of New Zealand as a sophisticated, diverse, year-round travel destination than to profile our unique tourism product directly to the global travel sector?

“New Zealand is currently considered one of the world’s hottest destinations. We cannot, however, ever afford to become complacent, or to simply be content with the level of success we have achieved to date.

“This government’s goal is to continue working in partnership with the industry to build a truly sustainable tourism sector for New Zealand—one that will balance the vast economic benefits of tourism with the protection of our natural, cultural, and made environments. Part of achieving this goal is to encourage our visitors to come at different times of the year, to try a greater number of products, to stay longer, to explore a wider range of locations, and, of course, to spend more.

“The WTM offers the perfect chance to showcase the hugely diverse range of activities New Zealand has on offer to the international travel trade professionals who are in direct contact with our target market offshore,” said Mark Burton.