Southern Lakes announced as host region for TRENZ 2011

SOUTHERN LAKES, New Zealand (27 May, 2010) – For the first time in the event’s history, Tourism Rendezvous New Zealand (TRENZ) will take place in the Southern Lakes region of New Zealand’s South Island.

TRENZ is the largest international showcase of New Zealand’s leading tourism and travel specialists and is staged by the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA). Traditionally held in the main centres of Auckland, Rotorua and Christchurch, TRENZ 2011 will see a change in format with the influential tradeshow focused on the Southern Lakes regions of Queenstown, Fiordland and Lake Wanaka with Queenstown as the main hub.

Several hundred international travel buyers, media and other industry professionals will spend several days in the region, immersing themselves in the spectacular landscapes, experiences and products the Southern Lakes region has to offer.

Dave Hawkey, chairman of Southern Lakes, commented that the securing of TRENZ by Southern Lakes demonstrated the benefits of collaboration and a successful international marketing alliance (IMA).

“Southern Lakes is often used as a case study of a successful IMA and being awarded the opportunity to host TRENZ shows the power of three diverse but complimentary regions working together,” he said. “All the regions recognise Queenstown was a pivotal part of securing TRENZ. We’re delighted to have the opportunity to host TRENZ under the Southern Lakes banner, confirming Southern Lakes’ position at the forefront of New Zealand tourism. We very much look forward to welcoming representatives of our major markets as well as introducing key emerging markets to this spectacular region.”

Tim Cossar, TIA chief executive reiterated the importance for effective industry collaboration. “Strong support from the local tourism industry was crucial to the decision to take TRENZ 2011 to Queenstown,” he said. “We look forward to working with Southern Lakes to deliver an unforgettable event that will showcase the region to the international travel trade.”

Destination Queenstown chief executive, Tony Everitt, said it was a great coup for the Southern Lakes region to be afforded the opportunity to hold an event of this calibre. “This is the first time we are the host region for TRENZ and this means we can showcase the area to more than 200 international travel and tourism buyers and media in one hit.”

Lisa Sadler, manager Destination Fiordland said the benefits of having TRENZ in the South Island were already proven and hosting the event in the Southern Lakes would only augment those benefits. “We know we benefited from having TRENZ in the South Island in the past as buyers were more inclined to get out and explore the region before and after the event. So to now have TRENZ happening within Southern lakes is huge,” she said. “This presents a wonderful opportunity for the local industry to have the travel trade’s premier event on our front doorstep.”

James Helmore, general manager of Lake Wanaka Tourism agreed, saying, “To have this opportunity to showcase our region to such an influential group of people through an event as globally respected as TRENZ is second-to-none. We look forward to demonstrating the diversity of the region and the many markets it can cater to.”

TRENZ 2011 will take place in the week beginning 23 May 2011. For further information, visit www.southernlakes.travel or www.trenz.co.nz.

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