Australians travelling to New Zealand for conferences, conventions or incentives increased by nearly a third in 12 months with growing interest in Rotorua.
Figures from the Ministry of Economic Development show the number rose 32 per cent in the year to the end of January.
The market attracted 37,392 people in the
year, with a total of 58,000 here to participate in business tourism events - up 25 per cent on the previous year.
Events & Venues sales manager Brett Jeffery said larger events were generally planned several years in advance, so the effect of transtasman flights into Rotorua was still filtering through into local figures.
But interest in the Energy Events Centre is starting to translate into bookings.
"People are now talking to us about the large association conferences and we have secured a couple of those."
Conventions & Incentives New Zealand chief executive Alan Trotter said the national figures were testament to New Zealand's growing reputation as an ideal place for corporates and associations to hold meetings and events.
"We've been working hard to promote New Zealand - particularly to the Australian market - and these figures suggest that work is paying off."
Representatives were overwhelmed by the level of interest at the Asia-Pacific industry expo, Aime, in Melbourne last month.
"We're very fortunate in this country to be blessed with some of the best scenery in the world and that is always going to make us an attractive destination. But on top of that we also have a fabulous array of meeting facilities, ranging from large convention centres to more intimate venues, a superb range of accommodation, excellent air access, great food and wine, and very talented people working in the conferences and incentives industry."
Trotter said these factors, combined with the close proximity to Australia's eastern seaboard, made New Zealand a "stand-out" destination for Australian events - particularly with the current exchange rates.
"The Australian dollar is worth nearly 30 per cent more than the New Zealand dollar, so we represent exceptional value for money."
