Rotorua's Australian roadshow off to great

The Rotorua tourism team selling our city in Australia. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Key tourism operators led by Destination Rotorua have kicked off a week-long sales mission to Rotorua's most important international market - Australia.

The sales roadshow has started in the Gold Coast with a day of presentations to ANZCRO, a kiwi-owned wholesaler.

Training more than 40 agents throughout the day, spirits ran high as 10 Rotorua operators treated staff from this leading wholesaler to a food-truck lunch.

"The Rotorua event is one of the most anticipated events for ANZCRO staff, they talk about this for weeks leading up to the event" said Nick Guthrey, ANZCRO group managing director.

"We see more than 150 suppliers throughout the year and it is occasions such as these that make the difference. Highly creative and engaging, we can see the results immediately in our sales" Mr Guthrey said.

"Rotorua sets the bar when it comes to engaging with our agents and creating a point of difference for the region" he said.

Kaitiaki Adventures general manager Jason Wright said he found the day to be hugely beneficial to promote adventure tourism products to a key wholesaler such as ANZCRO, further entrenching ourselves into what is a hugely important market and a key wholesaler.

Part of this year's contingent are participating operators: Kaitiaki Adventures, Off Road NZ, Tamaki Maori Village, OGO, Canopy Tours, Millennium Hotels, Sudima Hotels, Agroventures Adventure Park, Polynesian Spa, Skyline Rotorua, joining Destination Rotorua in a week-long trip that will have them train more than 400 agents.

Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand will also join the group for the Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne events.

For a second year Destination Rotorua has orchestrated a massive roadshow, showcasing some of the region's operators active in the Australian Market, said Desintation Rotorua Marketing trade manager Patrick Dault

"By bringing the event to ANZCRO, we bring Rotorua to our key trade partners," Mr Dault said.

"We show to our clients we understand their business and concerns for productivity by bringing a contingent of operators and making the most of our limited time with agents".

Rotorua Canopy Tours sales and marketing manager Nicki Dent said she loved the events.

"We build strong ties with other operators from the region and learn about what our clients' are looking to experience - most of all its really good fun," she said.

The sales missions continues on for the week, with events planned in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne later in the week.