Hundreds of the New Zealand tourism industry's main players have been left impressed with Hawke's Bay's "sophisticated" visitor attractions, following the conclusion of the Tourism Export Council of New Zealand's annual conference.
"All up there were about 320 delegates and they have been wined and dined and shown Hawke's Bay very well," Hawke's Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas said.
"I guess the outcome for us, is that we have put Hawke's Bay firmly back on the map with many of them who haven't been to Hawke's Bay for a long time. These perceptions and attitudes have completely shifted.
"The feedback coming from them now are saying how sophisticated offerings are.
"They hadn't realised the depth of products we have here. So, really for us now to keep following up with them to ensure they start to contract a bit more products and obviously include Hawke's Bay in more of their itineraries."