NZ CLIMBS IN WORLD RANKINGS
NEW Zealand is punching above its weight in terms of hosting conferences & incentives, with the latest International Congress & Convention Association’s data for the year showing the Kiwi nation rose four places in the world listings in 2016.
Last year, New Zealand jumped to 47th spot globally & 12th in the Asia Pacific region hosting 67 conferences - that’s 22 more than two years prior in 2014.
Tourism New Zealand manager business events and premium Lisa Gardiner said the achievement was the result of a “huge amount of work” that the NZ business events industry had put into raising awareness of the country as a global conference destination.
“Int’l event organisers who have held major conferences in New Zealand are spreading the word that our industry is unique in the collaborative way we deliver memorable events. This is another way that helps differentiate us as an attractive destination,” Gardiner said.
Speaking to BEN last week at TRENZ in Auckland, Gardiner said the recent Amway China conference “has opened up a whole raft of new opportunities in that market”.
She explained that Tourism New Zealand was chasing the incentive market in not only China, but Southeast Asia (specifically Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia and Thailand), India and the United States.
“Incentive travel seems to be an increasingly desirable way to reward staff and New Zealand offers the whole package.”
Gardiner said NZ offered a unique variety of things to see and do in such close proximity.
“For example here in Auckland, you can be out on the water taking an America’s Cup sailing experience in the morning and within an hour, jump on a ferry to Waiheke Island and be doing a wine tasting. Or jump on a flight to the South Island and be on a glacier by afternoon”.
Capitalising on growth in the business events sector, the cities of Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington have new conference centres under development, meaning more opportunities.
The New Zealand International Convention Centre, due to open in mid-2019, will give the nation the opportunity to house up to 3,000 delegates in one location.
“We know conference delegates and organisers are wanting that kind of ‘altogether experience’, and soon we’ll be able to deliver that,” she said.
NZICC is under development in the heart of Auckland and has already secured the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists in conjunction with the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness in 2020.
TNZ is also aiming to increase its conferences coming from Australia, doubling its resources not too long ago with two staff now based in Sydney.
MEANWHILE, Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development chief executive Brett O’Riley explained at TRENZ that the 2013 Rugby World Cup was the catalyst for development in the city.
“It put Auckland on the global map as a major events destination. It gave the region confidence to invest further in infrastructure, accommodation, refurbishment and transport.”
“In other words, Auckland regained its ‘mojo’ off the back of the Rugby World Cup,” O’Riley remarked on Fri.