Niue Puts the Paice on for Incentive Business

Niue Puts the Paice on for Incentive Business

Auckland – 12 December, 2014. Niue Tourism’s recent foray into the conference and incentive market generated great conversations and interest at the recent PAICE (Pacific Asia Incentives & Conferences Exhibition) held in Auckland.

Business was brisk on the Niue Tourism stand where PCO (professional conference organisers) and corporate agent enquiries focused around delivering "something different."

Niue may be one of the smallest nations on the planet, but was ‘boxing above its weight’ at the expo with Niue Tourism marketing manager, Jo Kennedy reporting strong interest in the island’s unique offering.

‘Money can't buy experiences’ were topping the shopping lists of buyers as was "being the first into a relatively new market," both of which were key drivers of conference and incentive enquiries for the NTO.

Ms Kennedy commented "Agents and PCO's are seeing Niue as a breath of fresh air which is what their clients are demanding, along with somewhere that gives them 'talkability' on the basis that there is a good chance their peers, competitors and colleagues will not have been there." To this end, Ms Kennedy says there was a strong sense of wanting to "add value" for clients and delivering an "authentic, life changing, memorable experience is being seen as key to that over high end 'bells and whistles'."

Wellington based, NZ Travel broker, Sandie Savage (pictured with Niue's Jo Kennedy) said "I see Niue as the ‘new’ small group market for people who have done a lot of trips and been to most of the islands and really want something different. Everyone is so busy they want someone to organise it all for them, which is where we come in. Putting a destination like Niue as an option in front of the right client is absolutely doing them a favour and we’re very excited about the opportunities it presents. I have a group in mind for travel in June, for whom Niue is totally the right fit.”

Ms Savage's enthusiasm was also echoed by others who visited the Niue stand who were captivated by ideas such as "own your own island" for an incentive or conference and the unique range of nature based activities that the island's topography lends itself to. Ms Kennedy said "with a renewed global focus on vitality and well being, the days of conferencing being all about the bar tab are quite possibly on the wane, but gaining personal enrichment from your incentive or conference experience is something that is often sought but seldom found. Niue can deliver this as a reality rather than just a "work life balance seminar or inspirational speaker."

The recent management appointment of Scenic Hotels to the Matavai Resort is also generating a positive buzz amongst the PCO and corporate fraternity. The attendance of Scenic Hotels Director of National Sales, Leigh Lewis on the Niue stand demonstrated the NTO's focus on talking business.

The former Matavai Resort is undergoing a rebrand process and will be known as Scenic Matavai Resort Niue. Scenic Hotel Group has recently announced the appointment of career hotelier, Brett Inkster to the position of General Manager, taking up his island post next week.

Inkster, who has more than 26 years hospitality experience, 15 of which has been with the Scenic Hotels Group will lead the team at Scenic Matavai Resort Niue and bring to the resort the group’s best standards and practices which will include menu development and a staff training programme.

“I’m really excited to be afforded this wonderful opportunity to open the Scenic Matavai Resort Niue and look forward to meeting all the staff, the locals, local tourism operators as well as activity providers. I welcome the chance to experience the Niuean culture through the rebranding as a Scenic Hotel Group Resort Property, says Mr Inkster.

Scenic Hotel Group Managing Director Brendan Taylor says the property is the perfect addition to the Scenic family and philosophy of promoting unique unspoilt locations which will be a welcomed new experience for travellers wanting an alternative stunning Pacific Island adventure.

“We are really excited about working with the island’s existing businesses, hospitality and tourist operators”. Mr Taylor said.

Niue Island Tourism’s Jo Kennedy says that the appointment of the Scenic Hotel Group to the island is an excellent addition to the infrastructure development that has taken place across the island over the past four years. Ms Kennedy says “Niue is now very much open for business and looks forward to sharing the unique proposition that is Niue.

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