Major Tourism Conference Spotlights Gisborne

Major Tourism Conference Spotlights Gisborne

The annual conference of the Inbound Tour Operators Council opens tomorrow in Gisborne, exposing the city and East Coast region and its tourism attractions to the largest number of tourism operators ever.

Over 200 delegates will attend, made up of inbound tour operators and their accommodation, attraction and transport suppliers from throughout New Zealand. The conference allows tourism operators to build relationships and market their products so that they can be included in travel brochures and websites overseas. Tourism New Zealand’s regional managers from UK/Europe, North America, Australia, Japan and North Asia are also attending the conference.

Speakers include the Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key, PATA (Pacific Asia Tourism Association) Regional Director for the Pacific Chris Flynn, and author Ian Brodie, who wrote The Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook.

Paul Yeo, chief executive of ITOC said: “Exposing tourism operators to new regions and different products is critical to ensuring New Zealand is regarded as an innovative and exciting destination in the eyes of overseas travel distributors and consumers. We love taking our annual conference to regions off the main tourism routes as it helps break the mould and remind everyone that there is fantastic product out in regional New Zealand. ”

“The conference is an important event in the tourism schedule as businesses prepare for the summer season and plan for the year ahead. There are a number of challenges and issues facing the industry this year, from the question of GST on inbound tour operators’ fees, emerging markets, joint venture opportunities and the long-term outlook for the industry. There will be a lot to talk about," he says.”

Mr Yeo said that a highlight would be a keynote address by the Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key.

“The tax issue in particular has been contentious for the past few years with tour operators being subjected to conflicting and confusing interpretations by Inland Revenue on what part of our export business is subject to GST,” said Mr Yeo.

“Jobs and revenue in our country’s biggest export earner are at risk due to the uncertainty. John Key listened to our concerns earlier this year when taking up office and promised to work with officials to resolve the matter in time for our conference. We’ll be very interested in the result," he says.

Several other tourism organisations will also meet in Gisborne to coincide with the conference, including Cruise New Zealand and Regional Tourism Organisations of New Zealand, providing Gisborne with a wonderful marketing opportunity.

Local Maori tourism operators in particular will be working together with Regional Tourism Organisation Tourism Eastland to boost their profile.

“This is the best opportunity we have ever had to put Gisborne and the East Coast in front of so many key tourism decision makers. We know they will love the experience and look positively towards including the region in itineraries for overseas visitors,” Graham Breckell, Chief Executive of Tourism Eastland says.

ITOC Background:
The Inbound Tour Operators Council of NZ was founded in 1971. It represents 250 tour operators and suppliers throughout the country who package, distribute and market New Zealand tourism products and services internationally.

ENDS

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