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A growing number of international tourism brands are set to take part in the Auckland Travel Show in May, highlighting continued demand for experience-led travel among New Zealand consumers.
The event will be held at the New Zealand International Convention Centre on May 9–10, bringing together airlines, tourism boards, cruise operators and travel companies targeting the outbound market.
Industry participation signals demand
Sponsors and exhibitors include Malaysia Airlines, Globus family of brands, and helloworld Travel, alongside organisations such as China Travel Service, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Indonesia Tourism.
The line-up reflects increasing competition among international destinations and operators seeking to attract Kiwi travellers.
Experience-led travel trend
Organisers say the exhibitor mix points to a shift toward more immersive and higher-value travel experiences, including culturally focused itineraries, expedition cruising and multi-destination journeys.
Lemongrass Productions founder Rob Eliott says travellers are increasingly prioritising meaningful experiences and more complex itineraries.
“People are looking for trusted advice and the ability to compare options, particularly for long-haul or multi-stop journeys,” Rob says.
Role of travel events
Industry events are playing a growing role in influencing travel decisions, particularly as travellers seek in-person guidance in a more complex global travel environment.
The Auckland Travel Show is positioned to connect high-intent travellers with operators, as demand continues to evolve beyond traditional sightseeing toward more curated and experience-driven travel.
