Trans-tasman relations are alive and well following the
weekend's 2012 Harvey World Travel Frontliners' Conference in
Auckland, the first time the annual event has ever been held in New
Zealand.
Around 300 Australian and 150 New Zealand Harvey World Travel
frontline selling agents came together to share product and
industry knowledge, training activities and best practice
solutions.
It was the first time a combined trans-tasman conference has been
held, which was acknowledged as one of the best in its five year
history by David Bridges, Managing Director Harvey World Travel, at
the Rising Stars Service and Recognition Awards dinner.
General Manager Australia Tim Burgess says it was a great coup to
hold the conference in New Zealand.
"This group of people are the ones who influence holiday makers
when making decisions so the more knowledge they have about New
Zealand, the better they are at selling the product which has
obvious benefits for us.
"With the conference held in Auckland we were also able to
showcase some of the product being sold. Agents had the opportunity
to touch and experience first-hand, the New Zealand holiday
experience with around 40 agents taking part in pre-arranged
one-day adventure, beach and winery famils in Auckland and the
surrounding areas."
Associate Minister of Tourism Chris Tremain spoke at the event and
reminded attendees of why the Australian market was so critical to
New Zealand. He urged the agents to "sell more holidays to New
Zealand".
During the weekend, partner, marketing and training presentations
were mixed with experiential workshops. The Show and Tell training
sessions saw Tourism New Zealand train over 100 agents
face-to-face.
Tim Burgess says the Australian market is critical to New Zealand
as they have an 11.2 day average length of stay and bring in around
25% of New Zealand's total holiday stay days.
The event's key sponsors were Qantas Airways, Harvey's Choice
Holidays and Tourism New Zealand.
Attendees were also entertained by New Zealand motivational
speaker Kevin Biggar who played snippets from his "First Crossings"
television series that highlights some of New Zealand's most
spectacular scenery and wowed the Australian agents. Agents
were also surprised with a flashmob, coordinated at the end of the
first day in the foyer of Sky City. You can view footage here.
For more information on the Australian market - see our
market activity pages here.