Top tourism trade event in Rotorua

Trenz held at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre. Photo/File

Rotorua will be buzzing for four days next month as the tourism industry's premier annual international trade event TRENZ comes to town.

More than 1100 delegates will be negotiating tens of millions of dollars worth of new tourism business during the event which runs May 10-13.

Chief Executive of the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand Chris Roberts said the financial rewards of TRENZ would continue to be felt in communities throughout the country for years after the event.

"Tourism operators that have exhibited at TRENZ multiple times tell us that while one third of results materialise in the following 12 months, they are still seeing significant new business generated more than three years later."

This year's TRENZ will be attended by 300 New Zealand tourism exhibitors and 356 international travel and tourism buyers from 28 countries.

"Over four days, in a scenario similar to speed dating, the international buyers will hold a total of 18,000 15-minute meetings with the New Zealand exhibitors," said Mr Roberts.

"As well as strengthening existing relationships, they will be looking for new and different tourism products and experiences that they can sell to consumers in their home markets."

Mr Roberts said two-thirds of buyers consider TRENZ more important than any other New Zealand tourism product purchasing activities they undertake, and almost three-quarters expect to send more visitors to New Zealand as a result of attending TRENZ.

TRENZ Premier Sponsor Air New Zealand flies buyers and media from around the globe to attend the event.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon said the airline was proud to sponsor TRENZ and to play its part in supercharging New Zealand's success by supporting the travel of buyers to Rotorua to meet directly with New Zealand businesses.

"As New Zealand's premier trade event TRENZ plays a key role in facilitating these important business opportunities, promoting New Zealand as a tourist destination and showcasing all our country and the Rotorua region has to offer visitors."