New Zealand sees ‘slow return’ for international MICE

Experts at a 9 December summit by Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) said that while international travel is paramount to future success, reopening will be ‘slow and staggered’, and that focus should still be on investing in domestic to sustain the country’s business events industry.

New Zealand’s borders are set to reopen to international travellers from 30 April 2022. However, experts at the ‘Rally, Rebuild and Restart’ virtual event pointed to how the longer the strict border measures stay in place — such as seven-day quarantine — the slower the industry's recovery.

Still, there remains a sense of optimism, since demand to meet in New Zealand is still high, despite closed borders.

“Domestic will be sustaining us, it’s important that we start to recognise this and make this more relevant and valid," said BEIA chief executive Lisa Hopkins. “One of the big reveals [during the pandemic] has been the attraction of different regions in New Zealand.”

Hopkins said that while countries like Singapore anticipate its business events sector to rebound to pre-pandemic levels by 2023, New Zealand’s recovery to pre-Covid levels was not likely until 2024. BEIA findings show domestic demand will decline from 2023, but that this will be off-set by international travel.

Bjoern Spreitzer, general manager domestic & business events, Tourism New Zealand, added that even as borders reopen, there is also the risk of new variants emerging.

Wellness, and 'wow' experiences

A second session focused on the needs of clients. Panelists included Patrick Rush, senior regional director Asia Pacific Meetings & Events at American Express Global Business Travel; Rohani De Beger, business development director at Veritas Events; and Trevor Newman, general manager strategic marketing at Fonterra Ingredients.

Sharing figures for the Asia-Pacific region from American Express’ global survey, Rush said that there will be a growing emphasis on wellness, diversity, equality and health and safety at business events, while duty of care is also paramount. Clients are also keen on virtual as a back-up.

“Customers are saying hybrid meetings will remain as an insurance, but with the caveat that if borders remain closed and there are additional spikes, 20% virtual would suddenly become 80%,” said Rush.

Rohani echoed this sentiment, saying that Australian clients were keen on bringing face-to-face back alongside hybrid elements.

Panellists also highlighted the elements clients are looking for when considering international destinations: these include a low-risk environment, a strong healthcare system and ‘wow’ experiences.

More than 430 industry representatives took part in the summit, which was moderated by innovator and author Joe Davis.

Meanwhile, after a month's delay, the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre in New Zealand's South Island officially opened on 17 December, offering meeting spaces along the Ōtakaro Avon river in the city centre.

It features 24 meeting rooms, including a 1000-seat riverside banquet room, up to 3,300sqm of exhibition space and a 1,400-seat auditorium which can be configured into two completely autonomous spaces.