Conventions industry says facilities first

Business tourism is the key to boosting visitor numbers during winter months, says an industry leader.

Conventions and Incentives New Zealand chief executive Alan Trotter said the busiest month for conventions internationally was September and in Auckland it was August.

"That's precisely the time that Auckland is desperate to get international visitation into the city," Trotter said.

In-bound tourism peaked in November through to March.

"Come April through to September you can fire a gun down Queen St and you wouldn't hit an international tourist," Trotter said. "The convention industry really is the key but if we want to go for the big stuff we have to have facilities."

The Ministry of Economic Development had called for expressions of interest seeking comment on marketing activity, from people who thought they could contribute to the development of a national convention centre in Auckland and also on facilities in the rest of New Zealand, he said.

Auckland City Council has said options for a convention centre could cost between $329 million to $550 million, attract 22,000 more international visitors and boost tourism-related spending by $85.4 million a year.

New Zealand could host conventions of about 2000 people but a facility with capacity of 3500 to 4000 would help target about 95 per cent of a market which was worth billions, Trotter said.

He understood the ministry would review all the submissions by September "and hopefully we'll then decide which if any will be taken forward".

The industry's annual trade fair will be held at the SkyCity Convention Centre tomorrow and Thursday.