Taupō Attends TRENZ 2025

Thursday, 15 May 2025, 5:43 pm
Press Release: Destination Great Lake Taupo

Held over two and a half days, TRENZ 2025 brought together more than 1,200 delegates, including over 340 travel buyers from 26 countries – offering a vital opportunity to drive visitation and economic growth in the Taupō region.

This year, DGLT engaged in 52 meetings with key international buyers from the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, India and Asia. Taupō was well represented with support from local operators including Orakei Korako, Escape Aviation, Poronui Lodge, The Haka Shop, Chris Jolly Outdoors, and Destinate NZ. These regional experiences were showcased alongside major national brands such as AJ Hackett, Millennium, Hilton, Haka House, Ngāi Tahu, Rapids Jet, Te Pā Tū, Unique Stays and River Birches.

In total, the Taupō region contributed to more than 650 meetings across the event. The projected economic benefit for Taupō from these trade relationships is estimated at $2 million.

Taupō also hosted five familiarisation trips, welcoming 15 international agents to the region and showcasing over 35 operators. These immersive experiences provided a deeper understanding of Taupō’s offerings – from luxury lodges and outdoor adventures to cultural and family-friendly experiences.

“It was amazing to discover a place I had not known about previously. What a delight to find a region that has so much to offer our high-net-worth clientele. Taupō packs a great offering for our Indian clients, granting access to the best of the Central North Island,” said Aneri Shah, Product Manager, A Travel Duet.

“I have been selling New Zealand for 26 years but this is the first time I’ve stayed in the region. I was amazed to learn that just down the road from the tourism hotspot of Rotorua, Taupō has so much to offer. I definitely need to change out some of my upcoming itineraries for my European visitors and add at least two, more like three nights in Taupō. Next year, I’ll be sending my colleagues to explore,” said Damir Tomasevic, Product Manager, Pacific Travel House.

“TRENZ is a great opportunity to reconnect with agents and showcase what’s new,” said Tim Barke from Poronui. “While Poronui has been around for a while, what we offer today is essentially a new product — from luxury multigenerational lodging to experiences like horse trekking, e-biking, and guided walks across our 16,000-acre property. There’s been strong interest in the lake house, our safari camp, and lodge dining. The feedback has been incredibly positive.”

“It’s our first time at TRENZ, and it’s been great to connect,” added Nikolos Gibson from Orakei Korako. “We’ve had the chance to highlight what makes our attraction unique. Taupō remains a very underrated destination. I’d definitely attend again.”

“It’s been exciting to share what we offer from a uniquely local perspective,” said Snow Rameka of The Haka Shop. “We believe our point of difference really stands out. The chance to connect with potential clients has been valuable, especially as we look to grow. The event has been incredibly well organised — a real credit to the team.”

TRENZ 2025 continues to be a powerful platform to showcase the diversity of experiences available in Taupō, strengthening its presence on the global stage and reinforcing its reputation as one of New Zealand’s most welcoming and rewarding destinations.

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