International showcase opportunity for NZ tourism operators

The country’s best tourism operators are being invited to showcase their businesses at TRENZ 2015, New Zealand’s most important annual international tourism trade event.

More than 1000 delegates are expected to attend the four-day event which is being held at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre, 17-20 May. For the first time, TRENZ is being hosted by eXplore Central North Island, a collective representing eight regions - The Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Eastland, Hawke’s Bay, Ruapehu, Lake Taupo, Rotorua and Hamilton & Waikato.

Applications for New Zealand tourism operators to attend TRENZ 2015 open on Tuesday 28 October 2014 at www.trenz.co.nz

"TRENZ is an opportunity for the country’s top tourism businesses to meet face to face with international travel and tourism buyers from around the world - the most influential people in terms of generating visitors to New Zealand," says Chris Roberts, Chief Executive of the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand.

"We are looking forward to welcoming international buyers and media to TRENZ 2015 and think the involvement of eight central North Island regions will give next year’s event a real edge."

eXplore Central North Island Chairman Rhys Arrowsmith says the collective is delighted to host TRENZ 2015.

"We see this as a prime opportunity to truly showcase our regions by hosting some of the global influencers of New Zealand’s tourism industry. We are excited about the familiarisation opportunities around this event, with the pre and post touring programme as well as the activity afternoon where I know the Central North Island Region will really shine," Mr Arrowsmith says.

"We have been working hard with TIA to ensure the TRENZ programme will truly wow the participants and create a wonderful environment to get down to some serious business."

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler says the traditional western markets provide a great opportunity in the coming year.

"While our focus on the emerging and Asian markets continues, The Hobbit films and our work to maximise New Zealand’s connection as Middle-earth has had proven success in the western markets and we’ll be working to build on this.

"That said, overall the visitor landscape is in a really good place and with expectations for a great summer ahead, we’ll be looking forward to welcoming buyers from across our markets to TRENZ next year."

With renewed confidence in the visitor economy, Mr Roberts expects keen interest from New Zealand operators wanting to attend TRENZ 2015. He is encouraging them to get their applications in.

"The number of applications nearly always exceeds the space we have available for exhibitors so operators need to ensure they apply before the deadline of 14 November."

About TRENZ

TIA manages TRENZ, which brings together about 300 New Zealand tourism operators (exhibitors) with a similar number of invited international travel and tourism buyers, and media from New Zealand’s major tourism markets. The event directly helps to grow New Zealand’s tourism industry, worth $9.8 billion in foreign exchange annually. Hosted by eXplore Central North Island, TRENZ 2015 will be in Rotorua, 17-20 May 2015.

TRENZ is supported by Tourism New Zealand, Air New Zealand, eXplore Central North Island and other industry partners.

For more information visit www.trenz.co.nz