New opportunities to sell pre- and post-show tours not just in Auckland, but across the North Island.
With the opening of the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) expected to attract more MICE groups to Auckland, tourism stakeholders are training their sights on pre- and post-show opportunities.
International visitor arrivals in March rose 15% year-on-year, while Tourism New Zealand has stepped up marketing activity across key source markets including Australia, China and Southeast Asia.
Since the opening of NZICC in February, Peter Hamdy, director of Auckland & Beyond Tours, has already observed an increase in conferences, corporate events and international business groups visiting the city.
Speaking to M&C Asia on the sidelines of TRENZ, New Zealand's largest international tourism business event, he said this growth has created new opportunities to sell complementary leisure programmes in Auckland, but also across the North Island.
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When it comes to courting corporate and incentive groups, tour operators at TRENZ said that options abound year-round, from snow adventures and hot pool wellness, to exclusive dining events and Maori cultural encounters.
Meanwhile, one region benefiting from growing interest in incentive travel is Central Otago, where operators are expanding their offerings beyond traditional wine and adventure experiences.
More lodges and experiences for incentive travel
Alongside new event infrastructure such as the Te Puna Mahara Cromwell Memorial Event Centre for small to mid-sized events, tour operators at TRENZ shared that a growing collection of boutique luxury lodges as well as unique experiences like winery cruises on Lake Dunstan are already attracting fresh enquiries.
Tourism stakeholders say the region's collaborative approach, with local businesses like smaller hotels combining resources to cater to larger groups, is also strengthening its appeal as an alternative to more established incentive destinations.
“We are seeing strong demand for customised itineraries that combine premium service with authentic local experiences,” Hamdy observed. “The focus is on flexibility and creating programmes that feel uniquely New Zealand, whether through cultural experiences, luxury touring, yacht charters or multi-day journeys.”