Winning the bid to host America's top travel writers for their
annual conference in 2011 is a coup for New Zealand tourism,
Associate Minister of Tourism Dr Jonathan Coleman announced
today.
Around 350 travel media from the Society of American Travel
Writers will spend a week or more in New Zealand in November 2011,
with coverage expected to reach millions.
"This represents an enormous strategic opportunity for New
Zealand. With this event due to take place immediately after the 2011 Rugby World Cup,
it will see the momentum continue in what is already expected to be
a huge year for New Zealand's international profile.
"To win this bid against competition from other countries is a
credit to the tourism experiences we offer and the strength of New
Zealand as a destination."
The bid to host the conference was a joint-bid between Tourism
New Zealand, Air New Zealand and Positively Wellington Tourism,
with support from Conventions and Incentives New Zealand.
New Zealand won the bid because of the range and variety of
story angles on offer to writers, as well as the country's ability
to hold a well-organised and appealing convention. The selection
panel also commended the strong relationship between Tourism New
Zealand and Air New Zealand.
"Many of these delegates will take time while they are here to
write about New Zealand as well as to attend the meetings. This is
a fantastic opportunity to raise New Zealand's profile in the US
travel media."
Wellington will host the main convention programme, with
meetings scheduled over five days. However, convention delegates
will have the opportunity to participate in pre and post-convention
tours in various parts of the country. A Board of Directors Meeting
will also be held at Sky City in Auckland.
It is expected that writers from across the US and Canada will
attend, representing publications potentially including
National Geographic Traveller, the New York
Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post,
Condé Nast Traveller, Elite Traveller and the
New Yorker, as well as various travel guides and news
websites.
The last time the convention was held outside the US was in
Chile in 2006. Media coverage of Chile following the event was seen
by around 21.5 million readers.
"This is publicity that money simply could not buy.
For more information contact:
Nicky Grant 04 817 9368 or 021 243 9368
Source: Media Statement - Associate
Minister of Tourism