More than 90 German travel agents are being taken around New Zealand as Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand try to boost the number of their compatriots holidaying here.
Currently 4.2 per cent of tourists to New Zealand are German.
The 18-day tour of New Zealand had been organised to tryto continue recent growth in that market, Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton said in a statement.
The agents are from Dertour, Germany's largest travel wholesaler.
"These travel agents have been hand-picked by Dertour because they have the highest potential of selling New Zealand," Mr Hickton said.
The tour covered the whole country, he said.
Air NZ had provided airline seats for the tour, the company's biggest investment in the German market this year, senior vice presidents sales and distribution Norm Thompson said.
"Germany has always been a strong source of business for Air New Zealand and the visit is a significant initiative."
