Tourism New Zealand aims to expand the India market

By sagarmedia on April 23, 2012 | Edit

Mischa Mannix-Opie,Tourism New Zealand’s new Regional Manager South and South East Asia,announced the expanded focus for the organization while reinforcing the continues commitment to marketing New Zealand as holiday destination out of India. “India is an important market for New Zealand partcularly as travellers visit after the typical summer high-season has concluded.Their welcomed arrival supports tourism operators through the shoulder season,”says mrs Mannix-Opie. New Zealand is a popular destination among honeymooners and those seeking self-drive itineraries. Free Independent Travellers (FIT) currently make up around 60 per cent of New Zealand’s Indian visitors and this sector is increasing more rapidly than group travel. Indians prefer to visit New Zealand during their summer – April to June – making this market an important source of visitors for New Zealand’s autumn shoulder season. There is currently no direct air service to New Zealand from India. Indian travellers must travel via Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Sydney.
Tourism New Zealand reinforced its ongoing commitment to the Indian market this week with the announcement of its push into the business events and incentives market.
Mischa Mannix-Opie, Tourism New Zealand’s new Regional Manager South and South East Asia, announced the expanded focus for the organisation while reinforcing the continued commitment to marketing New Zealand as a holiday destination out of India.
“India is an important market for New Zealand particularly as travellers visit after the typical summer high-season has concluded. Their welcomed arrival supports tourism operators through the shoulder season,” says Mrs Mannix-Opie.
“We welcomed more than 28,500 visitors from India in the year ending February 2012 and experienced 4.7 per cent growth in total arrivals to New Zealand between December and February from the same period last year.
“Holiday travellers grew 2.5 per cent during the same period and we look forward to seeing this continue as we move into our high season for Indian travellers visiting New Zealand.”
Along with focusing on the leisure market, Mrs Mannix-Opie also announced a new focus on the business events sector, including meetings, conferences, events and incentives.
“Tourism New Zealand has developed a Business Events Strategy in the last 12 months and this is now being implemented in key markets around the globe. India has been highlighted as a key market in this strategy that provides strong opportunities for New Zealand.
“New Zealand is already an inspirational destination for Indian businesses that run incentive programmes and we believe there is plenty more growth in this segment given the exceptional product that we offer,” Mrs Mannix-Opie says.
“Our relationships with key trade and airline partners will be important in growing this segment to New Zealand and we look forward to working with them in the year ahead.”
Tourism New Zealand confirmed it will continue to its marketing efforts in India into the next financial year with its staff in Mumbai.