Wooing tourism's heavyweights

Wakatipu tourism will be strongly represented on the international stage when Destination Queenstown and 25 operators showcase their latest products at Trenz, in Auckland, next month.

DQ's international markets manager Ben Chapman, Australia and New Zealand marketing manager Lisa Nilsen and trade marketing executive Christiana Zhu will work alongside the Southern Lakes contingent to represent the region at the annual travel trade expo.

They will meet some of the world's most influential travel buyers and negotiate contracts for the coming seasons.

Mr Chapman yesterday said Trenz was a huge opportunity to generate business for Queenstown from New Zealand's major visitor markets.

''Trenz is like speed dating with the world's tourism heavyweights. It gives us the chance to strengthen existing relationships and update knowledge in our traditional markets like Australia, UK, US and Germany, build contacts and awareness in growth markets such as India, China, South East Asia, instil Queenstown's core proposition as a premier four-season lake and alpine resort, build awareness of our offerings including biking, golf and wine, and act as a conduit between DQ members and market opportunities.''

DQ staff have 102 appointments over three and a-half days with travel trade and media. Mr Chapman will meet long-haul buyers while Ms Nilsen will concentrate on Australian buyers. Ms Zhu will assist with appointment streams. Chief executive Graham Budd will attend key speaker sessions and strategic meetings and discussions.

Queenstown-based and represented tourism organisations set to attend are AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand, Azur Lodge, Base Backpackers, Canterbury Trails, Connectabus, Destination Queenstown, Discover Arrowtown, Distinction Hotels, Gibbston Valley Winery, Go Rentals, KJet, Kiwi Discovery, Mantra Group, Millbrook Resort, NZONE Skydive, Nomad Safaris, Nomads, Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel, Queenstown Rafting, Real Journeys, Rydges Hotels and Resorts, Scenic Hotel Group, Skyline Queenstown, Southern Discoveries, the Helicopter Line, the Wakatipu Collection (consisting of Shotover Lodge, Queenstown Bike Tours, Remarkable Golf Tours, Queenstown Transport, Body Sanctum, Heli Tours, Tatler and Prime Restaurants) and Ziptrek Ecotours.

Organisations from Wanaka set to attend are Alpine Resort, Edgewater, Lake Wanaka Tourism, Minaret Station Luxury Tented Lodge, Puzzling World/Wanaka Hotel and Siberia And Other Wilderness Adventures-Wilkin River Jets/Backcountry Heli.

• Trenz 2013 will be held at the Auckland Waterfront on April 21 to 24.