New Zealand tourism showcase TRENZ returning to Rotorua

The country's largest tourism trade show was last held in Rotorua in 2016. Photo / File

New Zealand's biggest annual trade show is coming back to Rotorua.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) has today announced that TRENZ will be back in Rotorua next year, and will be held in Christchurch in 2020.

TRENZ brings together hundreds of international travel and tourism marketers to negotiate new business deals with several hundred leading New Zealand tourism operators. TIA organises and manages TRENZ on behalf of the event owner, the Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust.

TRENZ is set down for May 13-16 at Rotorua's Energy Events Centre. TRENZ was last held in Rotorua in 2016.

"Rotorua is a fantastic host region and we are excited to be taking TRENZ back there next year. With the strong support of Destination Rotorua, we will be able to showcase some of New Zealand's most exceptional tourism experiences to our international guests," Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Chris Roberts said.

Roberts said TRENZ created significant economic benefits for the host region each year, with more than 1500 people attending the four-day event. Delegates stay with local accommodation providers, experience local tourism attractions, and many spend extended time in the region.

"Rotorua offers a unique tourism offering and a range of world-class activities that will appeal to TRENZ attendees," Stephen England-Hall, chief executive of Tourism New Zealand, said.

"As the home of New Zealand's first tourism department in 1901, Rotorua is a fitting location, steeped in history and rich in culture to host the country's biggest travel and trade event."

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said hosting TRENZ was a great opportunity for the district and the wider region, bringing substantial national and international exposure and benefits that would extend beyond the event itself.

"It provides an immediate economic boost during the course of the event but there's also research to show it brings increased tourism afterwards. We hosted this event a couple of years ago but Rotorua's story has moved on since then so this will be an opportune time to share that progression."

Rotorua Economic Development chief executive Michelle Templer said it was fantastic that Rotorua would be welcoming New Zealand's largest business-to-business trade show back in 2019.

"We look forward to welcoming delegates from around the world to Rotorua and for them to be able to experience the magic of the destination and manaakitanga of our people first hand. It is also an opportunity to showcase the growth trajectory that Rotorua is on. Hosting TRENZ 2019 isn't just about the event itself as there are many wider economic implications for the city of Rotorua as the over 1500 delegates also look to engage with Rotorua whilst they are here or pre and post the event," Templer said.

Today's announcement came ahead of TRENZ 2018, which will take place next week in Dunedin at the Edgar Centre.