New Zealand will showcase its strengths in the Asia Pacific business events market with a significant presence at the inaugural IBTM Asia Pacific trade show.
Lisa Gardiner, Global Manager Business Events at Tourism New Zealand, says: “The Asia Pacific region’s business events industry is expected to see the highest growth rate in the world, reaching $441.1bn by 2025*. New Zealand already appeals to the Asia Pacific market, with 80% of all arrivals from this region, however we see considerable opportunity to grow business events from this market.
“We have the geographic proximity, flight connectivity and ease of doing business which appeal to the business events sector. Add to that New Zealand’s reputation in the region as a positive collaborator, plus our knowledge hubs and innovative thought leaders, and we are well-positioned as a host destination on the Asia-Pacific events circuit.”
New Zealand is set to host the Asia Pacific Regional Conference of the World Organisation of Family Doctors – WONCA (2020), the Asia Pacific Conference on International Education (2021) and the Australasian Coasts & Ports Conference (2021), alongside major international conferences on subjects ranging from food science to volcanology, bridge engineering to Colorectal surgery.
“The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) ranks New Zealand 12th in Asia Pacific region as a destination for international conferences, up from 14th place in 2017.” Gardiner says. “That’s something we plan to build upon through networking and making connections at IBTM Asia Pacific.”
Visitors to the show can learn more about New Zealand’s exciting new events infrastructure, including purpose-built, world-class convention centres being built in Auckland and Wellington, and the new Te Pae - Christchurch Convention Centre which opens in October this year.
A range of new accommodation options is also underway in key cities, including five-star Park Hyatt, InterContinental and Ritz-Carlton properties with appeal for incentive groups.
Guests to the 100% Pure New Zealand stand will be invited to take a seat at the hand-carved ‘Kōrero and Kai’ table, which has become a highly successful showcase of New Zealand’s manaakitanga – welcoming hospitality – at recent trade shows.
In Māori culture, it is believed that a stranger will soon become a friend after sharing a conversation and a meal.
Visitors are invited to enjoy kōrero and kai (a chat and a snack) while sampling a taste of New Zealand’s activities and spectacular scenery through interactive video and discussion with hosts from some of its leading events venues and service providers.
These include: Auckland Convention Bureau, New Zealand International Convention Centre, Te Pae - Christchurch Convention Centre, Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Liberty International - Australia and New Zealand, Business Events Wellington and Hobbiton Movie Set and Tours.
* Allied Market Research
For more information, or to register interest, visit: ibtmasiapacific.com.
-ENDS-
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Becca Krug, Nancy Cremore or Andra Miclaus at davies tanner:
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Notes to Editors
About IBTM
IBTM, part of Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) is the world’s leading showcase for the meetings and events industry (also known as MICE) with a portfolio of 5 global and regional events providing business solutions on 5 continents. They include IBTM World, IBTM Africa, IBTM Americas, IBTM China and IBTM Asia Pacific.
www.ibtmevents.com
About Reed Travel Exhibitions
Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) is the world’s leading travel and tourism event’s organiser, with a wide-ranging portfolio of 22 international events in 13 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa. Its market-leading, business-to-business events cover all elements of travel and tourism, including leisure travel, luxury travel, meetings, events, incentives and business travel, as well as golf travel.
www.reedtravelexhibitions.com
About the Singapore Tourism Board
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is the lead development agency for tourism, one of Singapore’s key economic sectors. Together with industry partners and the community, we shape a dynamic Singapore tourism landscape. We bring the Passion Made Possible brand to life by differentiating Singapore as a vibrant destination that inspires people to share and deepen their passions. For more information, visit www.stb.gov.sg or www.visitsingapore.com or follow us on Twitter @STB_sg.