New Zealand is upping the ante in attracting conventions and incentives business, potentially due to its growing venue inventory.
New Zealand Tourism and Hospitality Minister, Louise Upston, last week announced the government was investing an additional $3 million from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy to secure more business events for New Zealand.
“We know business event participants spend $175 more per day than other visitors on average, and importantly they often visit in the off-peak period between March and November,” she said.
“This funding will allow Tourism New Zealand to increase their annual conference bid development from 90 to 110 bids, attract high-value incentive programs, and enhance New Zealand’s presence at key international trade events.”
The additional activity aims to secure business events for New Zealand that will deliver more than $30 million in incremental spend to the economy.
“This is a chance to showcase our new conference facilities, fantastic hotels, and experiences, and pitch New Zealand as a world class location for business events,” Ms Upston said.
“To boost conference visitor numbers, it makes sense to supercharge the Conference Assistance Programme work that is already happening in Tourism New Zealand.”
The funding is available to any organisation, including universities, to bid to host an international conference in New Zealand. Support is also available to attract high-value incentive business to New Zealand.
This funding is part of the Tourism Boost package, developed by the Government in partnership with industry to support immediate growth in visitor numbers, drive export activity and deliver economic growth.
Business Events Industry Aotearoa CEO, Lisa Hopkins, said the funding increase demonstrates confidence that business events are a source for growth.
“It signals that New Zealand is actively recognising the importance of business events, and this new funding helps level the playing field with our main competitor, Australia,” she said.
“New Zealand’s business events industry has come of age with investment in world-class infrastructure with new conventions centres, Te Pae Christchurch and Tākina in Wellington, and the New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland opening early next year.”