The agents attended a one-day workshop in Auckland organised by Tourism New Zealand in partnership with 25 regional tourism organisations (RTOs) before embarking on a trip around the country. Consumer insights and product updates were shared between the agents and RTO’s through one-on-one meetings.
More than 50 travel agents from India and South-east Asia visited New Zealand this month, concluding almost a year of training on New Zealand.
The agents attended a one-day workshop in Auckland organised by Tourism New Zealand in partnership with 25 regional tourism organisations (RTOs) before embarking on a trip around the country. Consumer insights and product updates were shared between the agents and RTO’s through one-on-one meetings.
Tourism New Zealand also provided a market update before the workshop concluded with an award ceremony to recognise the agents becoming Gold specialists.
“By coming on the trip the agents ticked off the final requirement to become Gold 100% Pure New Zealand Specialists – a visit to New Zealand,” said Steven Dixon, Tourism New Zealand’s regional manager South and South-east Asia.
Gil Abercrombie from Enterprise Dunedin commented, “In-destination training events such as this don’t just build agents’ knowledge of New Zealand, they also increase their confidence in our ability as RTO’s to satisfy their clients’ expectations.”
Tourism New Zealand also worked with the RTOs to develop three different itineraries for the agents, making stops at tourist attractions, accommodation and restaurants.
Two North Island groups explored Auckland, Waitomo, Hamilton, Matamata, Rotorua, Taupō, Napier, Wairarapa and Wellington, while agents in the South Island group spent time in Canterbury, Queenstown, Central Otago and Dunedin.
“The feedback about the trip we’ve received from agents since they returned to their respective countries has been really positive. We will seek to engage more agents in the 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist Programme to grow the pool of agents who are experts in building ‘must do’ holiday itineraries for their clients,” Abercrombie concluded.