News Release
19 June 2007
Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand

Unesco meeting marks record increases for Christchurch conventions

As Christchurch prepares to welcome 850 international delegates and media for Unesco’s high-profile 31st World Heritage Committee meeting this week, the city is celebrating a 107% increase in conference business since 2005.

Christchurch and Canterbury Convention Bureau (CCCB) latest statistics (projected to year end June 2007) show Christchurch has recorded the largest number of conference events ever in the city and number of delegate days has more than doubled over the past two years, adding in excess of $51 million direct spend to the Christchurch and Canterbury economy annually.

The Unesco World Heritage Committee Meeting will inject $4.26 million* in to the city over 12 days from 23 June. It is one of seven large international conferences staged in Christchurch this winter alone. In recent weeks the city has hosted the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, the World Seed Convention, and this week’s Evolution 2007 scientific meeting with 1000 delegates from 35 countries.

CCCB manager, Annette Pendergast said this growth trend is set to continue.
“A stream of large conferences, plus smaller corporate meetings and incentive travel events are scheduled for the region in the coming year, cementing Christchurch’s reputation as New Zealand’s convention capital,” she said.

Christchurch welcomed 136,496 conference delegates and recorded 237,672 delegate days in the city during 2006 (calendar year). Last year statistics measured for CCCB by Angus & Associates showed residential conferences had a 34% increase in the number of delegates and a 41% increase in delegate days from the previous year.

The direct economic impact of the convention industry to Christchurch and Canterbury was measured at $51 million to year end June 30, 2006. Indirectly, the region also benefits greatly from other spending by business visitors during their stay. Pre and post conference visitors spend at least $190 a day for an average of 4.4 days each.

Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism acting chief executive, Ian Hay said convention business is drawn to Christchurch with the benefits of New Zealand’s largest and only purpose-built convention centre, excellent hotel infrastructure, off-site dining attractions and easy access through an international airport.

“The business tourism market is especially lucrative as hotels, taxis, restaurants and retail outlets all benefit from business visitors during traditionally low-season months for leisure tourism,” he said.

“Corporate meetings represent half the events held in our city, however association events are traditionally larger, and they are booked from one to three years ahead,” Annette Pendergast said.

www.christchurchconventions.co.nz

ENDS

Note to editors:

Unesco World Heritage Committee Meeting website: www.31whc.org
All media wishing to attend must register here.

It is the first time New Zealand has hosted the World Heritage Committee’s annual meeting. At the meeting it will be decided whether or not nominated sites will attain World Heritage list status.

In Christchurch, Australia is nominating the Sydney Opera House. New Zealand will not be putting forward any sites for nomination but will be submitting a tentative list. Tentative lists are lists of sites that countries intend to nominate for World Heritage listing sometime in the future.

Thirty secondary school students from throughout the Asia Pacific region have joined forces in Christchurch this week (before the meeting) as part of the Asia Pacific World Heritage Youth Forum 2007. The students will visit and study heritage sites throughout Te Wāhipounamu, South West New Zealand.

*World Heritage Total Economic Impact = $4.26million
Figures based on Ernst & Young Economic Impact Report 2001
770 delegates: average daily spend of $447 per delegate
37 official accompanying persons: average daily spend of $140 per person
40 media: average daily spend of $140 per person
23 June - 2 July 2007 (inclusive) = 12 days

CCCB is a business unit of regional tourism organisation, Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism. As a not-for-profit entity, it is core funded by the Christchurch City Council, and supported by the private sector through business partner membership and joint venture activity.