Government helps Maori operators show their wares in Middle East

Maori tourism enters the limelight next month at a major travel show in Dubai.

Indigenous New Zealand, a marketing subsidiary of Poutama Maori Business Trust, will exhibit Maori tourism products at the Arabian Travel Market being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from May 3 to 6.

It is the first time Maori have had a presence at the event.

The New Zealand stand and participation is being co-ordinated by Tourism New Zealand, which will also host a 100% Pure Welcome event at which Auckland's Pounamu culture group will perform.

The Maori-owned Indigenous New Zealand will give interactive song and dance performances, and displays will feature eco-cultural adventures, adventure tourism, geothermal attractions, guided walks, horse treks, fishing, arts and crafts and indigenous food.

Richard Jones, chief executive of the Poutama Maori Business Trust, said the Arabian Travel Market was an exhibition dedicated to the international travel and tourism industry and was widely recognised as the leading travel industry event for the Middle East and pan-Arab world.

Dubai is a major gateway to the Middle East and Indigenous New Zealand is the gateway to authentic Maori tourism experiences, so the event was a great opportunity for Maori tourism operators to reach a wider market, he said.

Indigenous New Zealand was set up by Poutama Maori Business Trust to foster interaction between the international tourism market and Maori tourism operators. This includes introducing international travel buyers to Maori tourism, developing tourism packages, and brokering relationships including investment, joint ventures and strategic alliances.

Jones said while Maori had been part of New Zealand's tourism offering since the late 1800s, it was only in recent times that they had emerged as an important and distinct voice in the growth of the sector.

International travel buyers and sellers come together at the Dubai travel market to learn about what each other had to offer, and do business.

Jones said Indigenous New Zealand was confident of the unique appeal to this market of leading Maori tourism operations.

He said Maori had a natural affinity with Dubai, which had a long history as a meeting place, bringing together the Bedouin people of the desert interior, merchants and the pearl divers and fishermen of the Arabian Gulf waters.