Destination Rotorua's tourism roadshow wows Australians

The Rotorua team on the roadshow. Photo/Supplied

Destination Rotorua and a large group of local tourism operators have spent the past week on a road show visiting the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

According to Destination Rotorua the 2017 Rotorua Tourism Roadshow was a "resounding success" with hundreds of Australian agents and travel decision influencers attending functions over the course of the last week.

"This is the fourth year we have lead a contingent to Australia," said Destination Rotorua trade manager Patrick Dault. "This is strategically timed to coincide with the end of the Tourism New Zealand consumer campaign and a key booking time for consumers looking to travel."

Destination Rotorua has been supported at the road show by Tourism New Zealand, Air New Zealand and a range of local tourism operators. Accompanying the road show are training events positioned strategically prior to the upcoming high season, ensuring Rotorua is at the forefront of agents' agendas.

"Our strategy is to increase the Australian visitors' length of stay by showcasing our quality tourism operators and leveraging our culture and creativity through our innovative retail space. The objective resulting in increased visitor spending for our local economy."

Focusing on Rotorua's unique points of difference, each tourism operator engaged with travel agents and key business events clients to deliver valuable training and education about their respective products.

OGO sales and marketing manager Anna Rogers said Australia was its number one international visitor market so attending the 'in market' events was vitally important for the business.

"It is a great opportunity for us to align our marketing message with that of Destination Rotorua's, as well as catching up with some of our key wholesale partners and provide them with updates prior to high season."

It wasn't all business for the Australian travel community however, with attendees treated to a fashion show by Rotorua designers Mereana Ngatai and Kharl WiRepa. The Pop-Up Fashion show paid homage to Rotorua's unique Maori culture with a contemporary twist.

Mereana Ngatai designs on display. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Flight Centre trainer Moana Mcrae attended the Sydney event with a group of trainees and said the following morning they all walked into class excited about the event and with plans to visit Rotorua in the near future.

"The fashion show was so unique and mesmerising," said Ms Mcrae. "It did an amazing job of highlighting contemporary Maori culture and was a true perception changer for Rotorua. I don't think anyone in attendance left without a desire to visit and enthusiasm to send clients to experience the magic of the region."

The events included a prize-draw for a $5000 trip to Rotorua, including airfares, accommodation and activities, all courtesy of Air New Zealand and Roadshow participants. Runner-up prizes included myriad goodies from across the Tasman.

The 2017 Rotorua Tourism Roadshow was presented by Destination Rotorua, supported by Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand and participants included Skyline Rotorua, OGO, Agroventures Adventure Park, Polynesian Spa, Tamakai Maori Village, Redwoods Treewalk, Hells Gate & Wai Ora, Kawarau Jet, Rotorua Duck Tours, Canopy Tours, River Rats, Te Wairoa - The Buried Village, Taupo Tandem Skydive, Ngai Tahu Tourism and Millennium Hotel Rotorua.