Pictured above: RTNZ and TNZ Connect Event 27 - 29 February 2024

Regional Tourism New Zealand (RTNZ) IBO Event

International travel trade season is well underway – the work we do now is in preparation for the following travel season/s.

Next week Destination Hauraki Coromandel (DHC) will return to the annual RTNZ Inbound Operator Event to represent Hauraki Coromandel. We will join RTNZ for 2 days of one-on-one meetings with inbound tour companies – key contacts in the travel trade channel.

If you’re already working with the trade please check that your business is listed in the export ready Activities, Transport and Accommodation section of our website.

Please let us know if your business is missing, or if you are interested in working with the travel trade. We have other trade events and famils coming up soon (e.g. eXplore, TRENZ).

More about the International Travel Distribution System

DHC can offer support to help your business become established and remembered with international travel sellers. It is often said it can take 3 to 5 years to become established with the trade; some businesses may advance quicker.

Businesses working with the trade have to pay commission each time they sell your product (you do not have to pay when they promote your business). Benefits of working with the trade may include:

-              Forward bookings and longer lead times, allowing you to plan ahead and also maintain custom in the event your business remains safe and accessible i.e. after storms and road closures.

-              Promotion of your business to key markets around the world (remember you only pay commission when an agent books your product).

-              International bookings can help extend your season, including bookings outside of peak periods, weekends and events.

International guests love the fact that they are hosted by locals who can deliver that good for your soul experience. The Coromandel is well known with Travel Trade in our key markets of Australia, North America and UK/Europe courtesy of decades of work.

Touch base with us if you’re after more information about working in this space and check out the Tourism Export Council NZ  (who have been great supporters of Hauraki Coromandel after the January 2023 storms).

Pictured below: Hadley from DHC meeting with Darcy, Social Media Specialist for TNZ who have a 4.5m audience (10% domestic). 27 - 29 February 2024

Tourism Connect update

DHC recently attended the annual RTNZ – TNZ Connect event. Key topics of discussion were Tourism Data, Destination Management, Tourism Funding and Sustainability.

We also had 15 one-to-one appointments with staff from Tourism New Zealand’s global team. This was a great opportunity to reiterate that we have had a great summer (open and accessible) and Cathedral Cove is a priority as we continue our recovery after a tough 2023.

A few highlights from appointment notes:

-              UK Europe, 50% of visitors are booking via trade (mostly once in a lifetime). Booking lead times range from 3 – 18 months with selling peaks in January and September.

-              US booking lead times are approximately 7-8 months out.

-              Australia - 13th biggest economy in the world – prioritises travel. Nature, hiking and biking (particularly mountain biking) remain popular activities.

-              Global Brand team are after ‘Wildlife’ stories to build content as well as new experiences to share.

-              Experience Marketing team are looking to up-sell regional experiences with a skew towards regenerative and culture themes. Top themes are currently relaxation/wellness and nature (perfect timing to share The Coromandel Cure that's #goodforyoursoul ). They have also launched a pilot that generated significant increases in sales, including some product from Hauraki Coromandel – report out at the end of March.

Please remember Tourism New Zealand, who own Qualmark, work with Qualmark accredited products when delivering their trade and media famils. They are currently offering a 30% discount for new businesses to have their first assessment.