Tourism industry influencers rediscovering Nelson Tasman
5 August 2022 – Nelson Tasman’s profile as an international destination will be in the spotlight this week as New Zealand’s tourism experts and key influencers (inbound tour operators that book international visitors) come to the Nelson Tasman to explore the regions visitor attractions and tourism offering.
The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ) sold out annual conference (280 delegates) will return to the region since our last conference in 2005. Chief Executive Lynda Keene says the industry is looking forward to seeing the development that has taken place.
“Hosting the TECNZ Tourism Conference here in Nelson Tasman provides an excellent opportunity for the industry to reconnect, refresh and reset, and rediscover all that the region has to offer. Tourism has faced significant challenges over the past two and half years due to COVID-19 and the conference provides an important opportunity to look ahead for NZ’s international tourism recovery.”
“A newly developed component TECNZ initiated last year called the Tourism Trade Expo will again feature at this year’s event. The purpose of the trade event is to provide a platform for tourism businesses to update Inbound Tour Operators (ITOs) on changes to their visitor experiences and products. Many businesses have adapted their visitor offering for the domestic market and some new products will be suitable for international travellers when they return.”
“We’re excited to host conference delegates and showcase the breadth of what we have on offer with the pre-arranged local tourism visits. Nelson Tasman’s range of outdoor adventure and activities amongst our stunning landscapes will be highlighted through activities such as kayaking, sailing, and skydiving, as well as profiling our thriving local food producers like Pics peanut butter and the Moutere Hills wineries ,” says Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA) Chief Executive Fiona Wilson.
Speakers include Hon Stuart Nash Minister of Tourism, Mayor Rachel Reese, René de Monchy CEO of Tourism New Zealand, Kylie Archer, Chief Operating Officer of World Trade Expo 2020 (Dubai), Economist Cameron Bagrie, Richard Ussher (Olympian, Multi-day Adventure Athlete and tourism operator) and the keynote speaker, Nelson’s Liam Malone, Paralympian, businessman and motivational speaker.
Delegates will also hear how international tourism is rebounding from major business leaders in the UK, Europe, Ireland and Australia. An international panel on Day 2 of conference will also provide insights to trends from major source markets and opportunities for New Zealand’s international tourism recovery.
The conference will be held in Nelson from 9 August until 12 August 2022 at the Rutherford Hotel. Local tourism product familiarisations will be held prior to and after the event.
ENDS
Media contact:
Lynda Keene, phone: 027 66 44 836
About TECNZ
The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ) is a trade association that represents the interests of the inbound tourism industry since 1971 (51 years).
Our members are the international specialists and businesses who built the annual $17.5bn earnings for NZ over five decades. Our membership includes inbound tour operators (who physically bring in visitors) and attraction, activity, accommodation, transport suppliers, regional tourism organisations and tourism services providers (Allied Members). TECNZ represents 65 Inbound Tour Operators and 250 international tourism entities across New Zealand.