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Last night in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, the buzz from more than one thousand delegates from across the globe and New Zealand gathered for the opening of TRENZ, New Zealand’s International Business Tourism event.
Held for the first time in the capital city, the event promises to be a landmark occasion and opened with powerful performances and speeches.
Beginning with an exclusive opening ceremony at the Michael Fowler Centre, with special guest speaker by The Right Honourable Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
In his speech, he says: “It’s an honor to inaugurate TRENZ here in the vibrant city of Wellington, showcasing the best New Zealand has to offer to the world”.
Over the next two days, May 8-10, the Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre will be a hive of activity. Here, more than 330 tourism buyers from 25 countries will explore and engage with the diverse tourism opportunities New Zealand has to offer. They are here to negotiate deals on accommodation, transportation, and various other holiday experiences for their clientele looking ahead to the next few years.
Joining them are 313 local tourism operators, ready to capitalize on the opportunity to expand their reach and influence.
During the pre TRENZ tourism forum held in the afternoon, May 8, Rebecca Ingram, chief executive of Tourism Industry Aotearoa, reinforced the importance of TRENZ to the national economy.
“TRENZ plays a pivotal role in positioning New Zealand as a competitive and prominent player on the global stage. We are thrilled that the Prime Minister is here with us to mark the commencement of this crucial industry gathering,” she says.
She further explained: “The discussions that take place and the agreements that are forged here will lay the foundation for our tourism sector’s future.”
But, TRENZ is not just about long-term strategies but also about immediate economic impact, with an expected boost of at least $4 million in new spending in Wellington this week alone.
John Allen, chief executive of WellingtonNZ, also expressed his enthusiasm about the potential benefits of hosting such a significant international event. “The exposure Wellington will gain from this event is immense. As these international buyers experience what we have to offer, we anticipate not only immediate benefits but substantial ongoing advantages.” “We’re eager to demonstrate the unique attractions of our region through the familiarisation programme, confident that experiencing it firsthand is unparalleled.” he says.
The theme for this year’s TRENZ, “Transformative Tourism,” emphasises the extensive influence of tourism on the nation’s economy, communities, environment, and visitors.
“This theme highlights the comprehensive impact our tourism sector aims to achieve, benefiting everyone involved, from local stakeholders to international guests,” says Rebecca.
