Tourism operators gear up for TRENZ 2018

Rotorua tourism ventures Redwoods Treewalk, left, and Rotorua Heritage Farm will feature at TRENZ 2018. Photo/Supplied

A Steampunk museum, an innovative camping option, an adventure business
founded to grow the confidence of urbanites in the outdoors, and an all-in-one
3D Trick Art Gallery are among 49 new tourism products on show at TRENZ 2018.

TRENZ is the $36 billion New Zealand tourism industry's premier international trade show where more than 380 international travel marketers will attend in Dunedin from May 7-10.

Chief executive of Tourism Industry Aotearoa Chris Roberts said these were the big behind-the-scenes players who shaped how international visitors experienced New Zealand.

"The buyers are going to Dunedin to meet with 314 of New Zealand's leading tourism operators and will be seeking new and exciting tourism products and experiences they can sell to consumers in their home markets.

"We are very excited that this year's TRENZ will showcase 49 incredibly diverse new products, ranging from scenic helicopter flights with ex-All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, to an interactive turtle rescue simulator, to a guest house hosting artists-in-residence in the Queenstown hills," Roberts said.

"Positively, many of these new offerings will encourage travel to communities beyond the tourism hotspots and will help attract visitors throughout the year."

Among the Rotorua operators making the trip south, Rotorua Heritage Farm will be meeting with buyers about its new 3D Trick Art Gallery, which it manages to squeeze into a facility that also includes a hugely popular petting farm, deer museum and two restaurants.

Sales and marketing director Tylor Kim said they packaged three attractions in a single place and were a big hit with tour groups who put a premium on time and money.

"People come into the 3D Trick Art Gallery with not a lot of expectations. Sometimes they think it's a museum and try to walk right through it — we have to tell them that this is a place where you use your acting skills and photography skills to create your own experience of the whole of New Zealand.

"The kids go wild in there."

Rotorua company Redwoods Treewalk will meet with buyers about a new laser video projection experience it has added to its award-winning laser-lighted treewalk.

Co-founder Bruce Thomasen said the goal was to highlight to those selling New Zealand that the iconic Rotorua Redwood Forest was a must-do attraction.

"It's located only five minutes from the CBD. International visitors are loving the nature, the design and the magic," he said.

TRENZ regular GO Rentals will be back, this time promoting its all-new, self-contained "Glamper", a solar-powered two-berth camper trailer.

"GO Glamper is an extremely convenient and well thought out piece of Kiwi ingenuity that will allow visitors to explore New Zealand without the huge costs normally associated with more traditional accommodation," managing director James Dalglish said.

TRENZ first-timer Steampunk HQ will talk to buyers about its intriguing collection of "retro-futuristic sci-fi art movies, sculpture and sound" that operates out of a historic 19th century grain elevator building in the heart of Oamaru's Victorian precinct.

Roberts said the new products highlight the significant investment being made in New Zealand's tourism industry.

"It's vital the industry continues to develop new and exciting products if we are
to achieve our Tourism 2025 aspirational goal of $41b in annual revenue."