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The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand with 300 plus delegates is delighted to bring their annual conference in Invercargill this week for the very first time in its 52-year history to discuss all things relating to international tourism and its future.
“It’s great to be here and our thanks the Great South team for a great pitch to bring the conference to the region,” says TECNZ chief executive Lynda Keene.
“The tourism industry’s recovery has gone well over the past two years achieving 82 per cent of pre-COVID international visitor arrivals. There is still more work to do to attract more holiday arrivals but we’re heading in the right direction.
“The international tourisms sector is close to regaining its spot as the countries’ largest export earner (forecast to be year-end March 2026) and the conference provides a timely opportunity to discuss the important issues facing the industry and look ahead to the future.”
Great South chief executive Chami Abeysinghe says the region is delighted to be hosting the TECNZ conference in Invercargill.
“We’ve heard many delegates haven’t been to Invercargill for 30 years, so this has been a great opportunity to showcase the Great South visitor offering to key influences and decision makers that can drive international visitation for us.
“We’re keen to share the great Southern hospitality we know we have with delegates to help create a successful and memorable conference for everyone. Haere mai, a very warm welcome to Waihōpai Invercargill and Murihiku, Southland region.”
The TECNZ Tourism Trade Event will again feature at this year’s event. The purpose of the trade event is to provide a platform for tourism businesses to inform Inbound Tour Operators on updates and developments to their visitor experiences and products for international travellers to be sold offshore.
Opening the conference hosted by MC Mike McRoberts will be Hon Matt Doocey Minister of Tourism and keynotes from Brad Olsen: chief executive and Principal Economist at Infometrics.
Chris Bull, Engineer from SpaceOps NZ, is the conference local speaker and Dave Wild, ‘Navigating the New Frontier’ both presenting a futuristic view of tourism.
On day two delegates will also hear the latest in international tourism trends from Tourism New Zealand and inbound tourism leaders working in the UK, Europe, North America, Australia, China and Asia markets with the latest strategy and insights from Tourism New Zealand.
Other speakers include Duncan Roy from Interislander, Mike Nolan from the Disabled Persons Assembly and a YoungTEC panel sharing insights on attracting a younger workforce.
