Travel leaders make most of Rotorua attractions

Flight Centre's travel leaders have been making the most of Rotorua attractions and nightlife this week as the company's Leisure Retail Leaders' Conference wraps up.

Close to 100 of Flight Centre's best performing area leaders and general managers took part in the annual incentive programme that incorporated some of Rotorua's adventure and cultural offerings.

The delegates, from all over Australia, took on the mighty Kaituna River, Agroventures Adventure Park, and indulged in the culinary delights of Skyline's catering, while making the most of the luge, Zoom Zipline and Skyswing.

One of the conference highlights was the gala evening at the Blue Baths, where the leaders were treated to the premier of Emerge Entertainments' newest Christmas creation Disco Ball, falling for the charm of Cinderella and the Ugly Funk Sisters.

"Flight Centre send more than 800,000 Australian visitors to New Zealand every year, it is our biggest and most profitable market," Flight Centre's executive general manager Tom Walley said.

"While most of us had been here previously, everybody was amazed at how much Rotorua has to offer. The mix of adventure, culture and geothermal is simply something that you cannot get anywhere else in the world and Rotorua is definitely a must-do for Australians traveling to New Zealand," he said.

Destination Rotorua sales & marketing co-ordinator Anna Rodgers said the group really enjoyed Eat Streat.

"They definitely made the most of every night; celebrating their success into the early morning hours."

Destination Rotorua trade manager Patrick Dault said it was the perfect time to host this incentive group.

"Destination Rotorua has had a massive year - with the success of our first major roadshow in Australia, followed by the 'Tour the North' campaign with Tourism New Zealand and the success of The Bachelorette Australia which was filmed here and went to air last month.

"We hope these leaders leave Rotorua with an impression of a vibrant and creative community and that this translates into even greater confidence in selling Rotorua and our world-class attractions and activities," he said.

"Tourism New Zealand's support has been invaluable in making this incentive programme a reality; the work they do overseas and in Australia must be some of the best in the world."

Mr Dault said Australia was New Zealand's largest tourism market and the success of this incentive group was of high strategic importance.

"With all tourism indicators forecasting a stellar year for Rotorua and New Zealand, it seems that Rotorua's tourism strategy is paying off."