Business events deliver New Zealand tourism boost

Business events deliver New Zealand tourism boost

New Zealand’s business sector is generating high value for the country’s tourism sector and it’s only going to rise, according to Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ).

International convention delegates are spending twice as much as other visitors to New Zealand, with an estimated spend of $350 per night, CINZ chief executive Sue Sullivan revealed.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) also reported that spending is up 15% from 2014 to December 2015.

Sullivan highlighted business events as a major growth sector for New Zealand.

“[Spending] can only grow as our value proposition strengthens, and we gear up for major new convention centre and hotel infrastructure which will give us the ability to cater for much larger multi-day conventions,” she said.

“What is not reflected here is the economic impact these international delegates have after they leave the country. We do not account for the ongoing relationships, knowledge transfer or commercial transactions that happen.

“The broader benefits of a growing business events economy are equally important. New Zealand’s business events sector provides key support for infrastructure development, business relationships, expertise and industry investment, with the benefits spreading across both city and regional economies.”

MBIE’s latest figures show overseas delegates accounted for 44% of total visitor nights from conventions and conferences.

The two-day CINZ MEETINGS hosted 600 domestic and international buyers and generated $56 million in business bookings.

Domestic conference attendees are especially important to regional New Zealand, averaging $509 per night, up 15% from 2014.

“The work we are doing in Australia and the international profile we are receiving through Tourism New Zealand is really starting to pay off,” Sullivan said.

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