Rotorua on show to tourism delegates

More than1100 international and New Zealand delegates will arrive in Rotorua to attend TRENZ 2015 at Rotorua Energy Events Centre.

More than 1100 international and New Zealand delegates are soon to arrive in Rotorua to attend TRENZ 2015, the tourism industry's annual showcase.

The tourism showcase is worth tens of millions of dollars to the country and will inject around $2 million into the local economy, according to organisers.

TRENZ , which takes place from May 17 to May 20, is the $24 billion New Zealand tourism industry's premium international trade event. It brings together hundreds of international tourism and travel buyers to negotiate new business deals with several hundred leading New Zealand tourism operators.

Tourism Industry Association chief executive Chris Roberts said 320 international buyers from traditional visitor markets such as Australia, the UK, Japan and the USA, as well as developing markets such as India, Indonesia and Brazil will be heading to Rotorua for the four-day event.

Over four days they will hold a total of 15,000 meetings with New Zealand tourism exhibitors, negotiating contracts worth tens of millions of dollars in new tourism business.

TRENZ , which is being held at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre, will also inject around $2 million into the local economy, including hotel accommodation, transport, meals, functions and the hundreds of thousands of dollars spent staging the event.

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said hosting large events was something the city was showing it could do well and residents should be proud of.

"The increase in economy is great but it's also a chance to showcase Rotorua," she said.

"We've got the best in the industry here. We're becoming great hosts for large events; this is sandwiched in between Crankworx and the local-government conference. We're showing our strengths nationally."

She said she was looking forward to seeing what new products were launched and for any Government tourism announcements which were typically made at Trenz.

Explore Central North Island (ECNI) collective chairman Rhys Arrowsmith said Trenz was the most important way the ECNI regions could showcase themselves to the world.

"This part of New Zealand offers visitors huge diversity, everything from the country's longest ski fields, premium wineries, cultural and geothermal wonders, the largest southern hemisphere lake to an active volcanic island, top surf beaches, pristine rainforest, subterranean cave systems and the Hobbiton movie set.

"Hosting Trenz in the traditionally quieter month of May is an added bonus. We are looking forward to promoting this exceptional part of New Zealand."