TRENZ has wrapped for another year with 1600 inspired international and domestic delegates heading home from Rotorua to showcase New Zealand to their clients.
A successful TRENZ19 came to a close late on Thursday at the Skyline Rotorua, with delegates taking off the following day for home, or onward to explore more of New Zealand on one of the many post-famils.
So what were the key takeaways from this year’s four-day event? Read on.
1. An emphasis on ‘People and place’
The Tiaki Promise
Sustainable travel has accelerated as a much needed global topic of discussion and promotion for tourism in general in the last couple of years.
But for New Zealand, this is a “NO BS” value that has been instilled across the tourism industry for probably the last decade – and they’re now leading the charge globally.
Heard of the ‘Tiaki Promise?’. That’s the pledge that all visitors are asked to take before visiting New Zealand. Why? Read all about that here.
Impressively, every single presentation at TRENZ19 was sustainability led with thriving examples of regional tourism boards and travel experiences creating a win, win for everyone – Including local communities, environment, culture, the economy and the planet.
Not just talk – REAL action and REAL results.
Britz EV Camper vans are now a reality
FROM THE TOP DOWN: ‘New Zealand is aiming for ‘a sustainable tourism industry that benefits all New Zealanders’ with the powerful mantra that ‘everyone who visits New Zealand must leave it in a better place than when they arrived’.
“Arrivals are no longer the only measure of success. Tourism leadership today is about having the courage it takes to stand for something bigger than what went before.”
Stephen England-Hall, Tourism New Zealand CEO
Right now, you’ll see a growing supply of New Zealand experiences that create that benefit for everyone. From electric Britz camper vans and electric bike tours to cultural and conservation tours that gift you the opportunity to give back actively on your trip.
As more travellers switch on to wanting deeper, authentic experiences, it’s these stories that will engage your customers to travel to New Zealand.
Start your journey of sustainable inspiration here:
www.sustainabletourism.nz/supporters
www.tiakinewzealand.com
www.traveltrade.newzealand.com
2. This was a ‘100% pure’ green conference
While the travel industry revolves around conferences and connection, events are unfortunately widely regarded as some of the most polluting and wasteful business activities going.
From delegates flying vast distances to get there and back, to the extra level of landfill waste heaped on the destination and additional fossil-fuelled transport emissions.
The challenge in today’s business world is, how can event organisers play their part in reducing the impact on the destination and the planet?
TRENZ Recycled bags
From delegate bags made from recyclable and washable paper and donating left-over food to local charities, this year’s TRENZ was its greenest ever.
A raft of environmental initiatives was introduced including using mugs or compostable cups for the 10,000 plus cups of coffee that were consumed and, where food standards allowed it, donating left-over food to local Rotorua charities.
Top marks TRENZ for caring enough to make a change.
Read more about it here.
3. A BIG new 100% Pure New Zealand campaign is coming
June will see the next evolution of the 100% Pure New Zealand campaign which, sources tell me will be its biggest yet, focussing on all of the above that makes our trans-Tasman neighbour so very unique.
The new strategy and 100% Pure New Zealand campaign will arrive as one of the world’s longest running destination campaigns, turning twenty this year and ranking it among the world’s most successful.
The campaign will undoubtedly lead to more sustained interest and help spark into life potential new visitors who perhaps haven’t previously considered New Zealand.
HOT TIP: Get ready for enquiry central through June, July and August.
Oh, and by the way, AGENTS: Are you an NZ Specialist? No?! Don’t miss out – Register here now!
4. Rotorua is cool (and hot)
The Polynesian Spa, Rotorua
Lakeside host city Rotorua put on a fantastic show, with the whole town getting involved in ensuring a geothermally warm welcome and lasting memories for all.
Rotorua is, in many ways the birthplace of tourism in New Zealand with travellers from afar first making the long journey here in the early 1800s to savour the regions natural spa healing properties.
Look out for yours truly starring in the video below getting a taster for myself.
Rotorua Canopy Tours
Zorbing Rotorua
Today, Rotorua is just as famous for its wellbeing, spas and culture, but also combines a plethora of action-filled adventures to suit every visitor’s appetite and level of fitness.
From extreme zorbing to some of the world’s best mountain biking, fishing, hiking, golfing and ziplining through ancient rainforest.
Just a two and a half hour drive from Auckland, you can pack a lot into a trip of any duration here.
Find out more: www.rotoruanz.com
5. You should definitely visit New Zealand soon
Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand
Yes, winter is coming, and that means… SNOWTOWN!
The big news is that the North Island’s Mount Ruapehu will open their NZ$25m high-speed Sky Waka Gondola at Whakapapa in June this year.
The fifty gondola cabins on the lift will feature floor to ceiling glass views, internal ski racks, audio and lighting and individual leather seats offering business-class luxury to passengers. Bye bye wind!
The new Gondola cabins, Mount Ruapehu
Each gondola cabin can carry 10 riders and even the tallest skiers will be able to stand upright in the cabin with more than 2m of internal clearance. The Sky Waka will transport 2,400 people per hour over 1.8km to the top in a speedy five minutes.
Mount Ruapehu is just a two and a half hour drive from Rotorua passing through gorgeous Lake Taupo on the way and around four hours, twenty minutes driving from Auckland Airport.
Treble Cone, Wanaka is always a good idea
And then, of course… There’s the glorious South Island. Queenstown! Wanaka, Cardrona, Treble Cone, Mt. Hutt, The Remarkables, Coronet Peak… Need we say more?
The 2019 season is scheduled to begin around the 16th of June.
Find out more: www.mtruapehu.com / www.nzski.com / www.cardrona.com / www.treblecone.com
6. TRENZ20 returns to Christchurch
Christchurch City, Canterbury
TRENZ20 promises to be extra special with the return of the event to Christchurch after nine years.
TRENZ was held in Christchurch in 2000, 2005 and 2006, but damage from the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes took the Garden City out of the potential hosting role. Since then, of course, the city has suffered again recently with the tragic events that happened only months ago.
It’s safe to say that for Christchurch, TRENZ20 will begin a new chapter of positivity for enhanced tourism to the region.
Hamner Springs, Christchurch
Chris Roberts, Chief Executive of TIA which manages and produces TRENZ on behalf of the Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust says;
“We made a promise some years ago that we would be back in Christchurch when the city was ready to host us. TRENZ will put a spotlight on a region that needs New Zealand’s support as it continues to grow, and the event’s economic benefits will provide a huge boost to accommodation, food and beverage and entertainment providers in the city.”
The event will be held at Horncastle Arena, Christchurch, from 18-21 May 2020.
Will you be there? Great! Me too.
Find out more: www.trenz.co.nz
- READ: RECYCLING TRENZ: Is this the greenest conference ever?
- READ: TRENZ19: Rotorua cranks up the heat to showcase New Zealand
- READ: PACK YOUR BAGS: 10 reasons to visit New Zealand this year