Air NZ support gives events sector a boost

The growing push into the business events market has been boosted with the announcement Air New Zealand will extend support for conference planners and delegates and Auckland's successful bid to host the world's largest gathering of those involved in food and drink tourism.

Air New Zealand says it will support travel to New Zealand for pre-event site inspections and offer discounted travel rates to New Zealand for conference delegates and their companions.

The airline will give preference to applications for events taking place outside of the peak tourist months.

The announcement was made at Meetings, the annual gathering of the conference and incentive industry.

Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development says it has won the World Food Travel Summit & Expo in May 2017, an event that will attract 500 international delegates. Food tourism is one of the fastest growing parts of that sector.

Auckland Tourism chief executive Brett O'Riley said the conference would generate $750,000 for Auckland. "As well as the financial return we are also excited about what these new global connections could do for the local food and beverage sectors."

Three other international contenders also bid for the four-day summit, which will be held at Shed 10 on Auckland's waterfront.

Last year Tourism New Zealand was given an additional $34 million over four years to promote international business events. The organisation is targeting conference and incentive tour organisers in priority markets of Australia, North America, China and southeast Asia.

Nine international events secured during the past year were worth an estimated $15.5 million, Tourism NZ said.