Travel Agent - August 13, 2007 - (Page 22)

Destinations Pacific/Asia New Zealand Tourism Update Trade shows discuss trends and the luxury market BY STEPHANIE STEPHENS T ravel Agent recently attended two of New Zealand’s top travel trade shows: Tourism Rendezvous New Zealand, or TRENZ (www.trenz.co. nz), the country’s largest annual international tourism event; and the private Pure Luxury New Zealand 2007, (www. pureluxury.co.za) held at Treetops Luxury Lodge and Estate (www.treetops.co.nz), which focused on the country’s upscale travel offerings. TRENZ was held at the new Energy Events Centre in Rotorua, mid-North Island. The city is New Zealand’s first real visitor destination with an enthralling 160-year history, 14 nearby lakes and blue-green mountains. An event of the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA), with support from Tourism New Zealand and premier sponsor, Air New Zealand (www.airnewzea land.com), TRENZ was billed as the first tourism trade show to be carbon neutral, Treetops Luxury Lodge & Estate, site of Pure Luxury New Zealand 2007 an effort that shakes hands with New Zealand’s pristine and idyllic green image. buyers from 28 countries who traveled to TRENZ 2007. Inside the two halls, 48 new exhibitors joined 67 returning businesses, for a total of 115 booths. Thirty percent was new product, reported Luhrs, who cited adventure, nature and ecotourism as top categories. Environmentaly Friendly Travel “We wanted to prove to our international guests New Zealand’s commitment to good environmental management in a tangible way,” said TIA Chief Executive Fiona Luhrs. She also cited the newly released Draft New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2015, “which sets out a vision that the tourism sector will take a leading role in protecting and enhancing the environment.” Hon. Damien O’Connor, minister of tourism, noted that “over the eight-year term of the plan, the world and New Zealand within it, can expect to see accelerating change. There will be intensified pressures from climate change, rapid evolution in consumer attitudes and expectations, and further challenges to our security and biosecurity. The extent to which New Zealand and the tourism sector transform these challenges into opportunities will have a major impact on our future prosperity.” Opportunity was on the minds of the 350 international travel and tourism Trends in Travel She noted “significant investments” being made by major lodge developers and owners, a growth in top-class self-contained apartments and holiday homes and a trend toward spa inclusion by New Zealand’s upper-tier properties. Food and wine vacations capture a large market share, she said. (The country now has more than 500 vineyards.) Acknowledging that many vacationers worldwide tend to spend longer weekends at closer-by destinations, she feels the market for those who “collect” or bank their vacation days for longer trips is still extremely viable for New Zealand. Pure Luxury New Zealand 2007 The larger TRENZ show was preceded by the private Pure Luxury New Zealand 2007, held at nearby Treetops Luxury Minister of Tourism Hon. Damien O’Connor 22 TravelAgent August 13, 2007 http://www.trenz.co.nz http://www.trenz.co.nz http://www.pureluxury.co.za http://www.pureluxury.co.za http://www.treetops.co.nz http://www.airnewzealand.com http://www.airnewzealand.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - August 13, 2007

Contents Editor's Letter News You Can Use Agenda: Fam Trips, Calendar of Events, Deal of the Week Cover Story: Open Skies PACIFIC ASIA: New Zealand Tourism Update CARIBBEAN AND BAHAMAS: One&Only Ocean Club’s Slow Season Package MIDDLE EAST: Middle Eastern Airlines ALASKA: Cross-country Skiers Flock to Fairbanks CRUISES: Azamara Assails The Sea HONEYMOON AND ROMANCE: Honeymoon Survey Results Agent Profile Luxury Travel Expo Update Classified Marketplace Advertisers’ Information People & Places

Travel Agent - August 13, 2007

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.