Tourism shows off at TRENZ 2010
19 May 2010
New Zealand’s largest international tourism event TRENZ opens in Auckland next week (24.05.2010), with new products to tempt the world’s travel and tourism industry.
Tourism Rendezvous New Zealand (TRENZ) is an annual event that helps keep New Zealand in the forefront as an international tourism destination.
TRENZ 2010 (24 - 27 May) at Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds is expected to attract more than 270 buyers and 60 media from around the world.
Shark cage diving and a Māori cultural experience that brings local legends to life are just two of the 65 new activity, accommodation and transport products that will be unveiled at the event.
Social media
As well as the 1200 people expected at TRENZ 2010, social media will play a big role in spreading news about exciting new products and events through blogs and regular Twitter posts.
Canadian PR expert Ruth Atherley will blog live from the event on TRENZBlog - providing a visitor’s view on products, exhibitors and other news from the event for international travel trade and media not able to attend.
Attendees will also be able to keep up-to-date with what's happening at TRENZ through live Twitter updates posted on @TRENZ10 and @TNZNews throughout the four days.
International buyers
Buyers from New Zealand’s major and emerging international visitor markets will be eager to find new products they can incorporate into their travel packages and itineraries for the coming seasons, according to Tourism Industry Association chief executive Tim Cossar.
"For 22 operators, it will be the first time they have exhibited at TRENZ and promoted their products to these influential travel and tourism buyers, who between them write 75% of the international visitor business to New Zealand."
A number of influential international media will also go on to sample New Zealand tourism products at various destinations, once the trade show is over.
Tourism innovations
Despite the tough times in tourism, the large number of new products and exhibitors at TRENZ 2010 was a reflection of the depth and innovation of New Zealand’s multi-billion dollar tourism industry, Cossar said.
Tourism generates NZ$25 million of foreign exchange into the New Zealand economy every day of the year.
"Our tourism businesses have come through an extremely tough year given the huge impact of the global financial crisis on many of our major visitor markets. Yet they are continuing to invest in new and exciting products that help keep New Zealand’s offering new and exciting on the international stage," Cossar said.
New Māori cultural product
One of the newest cultural products on show at TRENZ is Mangatawa Tourism, due to open later this year.
A joint venture between Mangatawa Papamoa Blocks and The Department of Discovery / Amatori Tourism based in Tauranga, the Māori cultural visitor experience will be demonstrating a new way of telling stories to TRENZ visitors.
An interpretation centre and guided walk will illustrate the local Māori tangata whenua legend of three whales - a family that became stranded in the harbour and transformed into three hills, connecting them to the land and the sea.
Auckland’s Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, will show off a new adrenalin experience - the shark cage.
Kelly Tarlton's marketing manager Tessa Lawrence says the new experience gives visitors the chance to come face-to-face with 22 sharks, while wearing just a wetsuit, snorkel and mask and with nothing more than a mesh cage between them.
"The sharks range up to three metres, so you are assured a thrilling encounter," says Lawrence.
Transport operator Gray Line is also taking new product to TRENZ 2010 - a five-star coach that operates between Queenstown and Milford Sound.
General manager Ben Thornton says the coach features a glass roof so visitors can see the "majestic alpine skyscape".
One place one time
TRENZ is managed by the Tourism Industry Association (TIA) in partnership with Tourism New Zealand, Air New Zealand and other industry supporters.
It is considered a cost-effective opportunity to reach a large number of buyers and media in one place at one time.
Over the four-day event, buyers would be looking to negotiate agreements on accommodation, transport, tours and activities they could sell to their clients over the next two or three seasons, Cossar said.
TRENZ was an important opportunity for the tourism industry to meet, network and exchange information with those who market New Zealand to consumers offshore, according to Tourism New Zealand’s Kevin Bowler.
"Travel sellers play an important role in influencing the travel decisions of potential visitors. We're delighted to be able to welcome buyers from 30 international markets for TRENZ 2010."
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