Excitement has built within the tourism industry in anticipation of TRENZ, New Zealand's largest tourism event.
Over 1000 TRENZ delegates are scheduled to descend on Wellington throughout the three-day event.
Rebecca Ingram, chief executive of Tourism Industry Aotearoa, emphasised that in its 30th year, TRENZ has evolved into the most significant trade event on the industry's calendar, underscoring its immense scale and impact.
"TRENZ is a critical step in ensuring New Zealand is competitive and well represented on a global tourism stage. It's where business gets done for many New Zealand tourism operators," said Ingram.
More than 300 top travel buyers from 25 countries will attend this year's event, and 313 tourism businesses from across the country will showcase their services and products.
"To give you a sense of the scale of TRENZ, over the two core days, there are 15,000 appointments scheduled between buyers and sellers," said Ingram.
"They negotiate contracts for accommodation, transport and activities for the coming international holiday seasons, generating millions of dollars for the New Zealand economy."
TRENZ provides an opportunity to promote New Zealand's capital city on a world stage.
This year, WellingtonNZ has organised nearly 50 familiarisation tours to show buyers some of the region's key attractions, with a focus on creative and natural features.
John Allen, chief executive of WellingtonNZ, said the city was thrilled to host TRENZ for the first time.
"Wellington is renowned for its warm welcome to visitors from all over the world, and we know that when tourism buyers see what the region has to offer, the local industry will benefit for years to come," said Allen.
The Wellington region has 23 tourism operators participating in TRENZ, including nine new to the market. The event will conclude with a grand Wellington-themed farewell function at the TSB Arena.
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