Ninety two Chinese travel buyers have this week been in Shenzhen
for Tourism New Zealand's first ever Greater China trade show.
A three-day event, the Greater China Mission provides a unique
opportunity for New Zealand tourism operators wanting to sell their
products, to meet Chinese buyers. For many New Zealand operators
this is their first time meeting with buyers in China and
demonstrates the effort to develop New Zealand's presence as a
holiday destination.
This is the first time that Tourism New Zealand has hosted such
a large-scale event in Greater China and illustrates our ongoing
commitment to develop New Zealand's profile and our product
offering to better meet the needs of our Chinese visitors.
Acting General Manager Asia Markets Kate Necklen says with
arrivals from China growing steadily and an expectation for
continued growth, New Zealand's presence as a visitor destination
in China is encouraging.
"We are in a good position in China especially in first tier
cities such as Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou where we are well
established.
With good progress already made with air connections and
improvements to immigration, this event gives us the opportunity to
engage with trade and increase our profile in Greater China, where
there are opportunities for further growth."
In 15 minute one-on-one appointments, New Zealand operators will
meet with buyers to introduce and educate them on their tourism
product and how it can be included in itineraries to New Zealand.
Air New Zealand and China Southern Airlines will also be
participating in the appointments educating buyers on their
schedules and air routes.
Twenty four operators from New Zealand are attending the event as
well as a great number of buyers from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou,
Hong Kong, Taiwan, Shenzhen, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Qingdao and
Sichuan.
China has been identified as a primary growth market for Tourism
New Zealand, with sustained growth in visitor arrivals during 2011
increasing 18.6 per cent to 145,524.