West Coast tourism operators engage key partners in Auckland

Participating businesses included Underworld Adventures, Maruia Hot Springs, Shantytown, Pounamu Pathway, Inflite and West Coast Wildlife Centre.

Photo: Left to Right - Toko Kapea (Pounamu Pathway), Aidan Schurr (Underworld Adventures), James White (Maruia Hot Springs), Patrick Dault (DWC), Will Davidson (Inflite), Richard Benton (West Coast Wildlife Centre), Lara Thomas (DWC), and Laugharne Kemp (Shantytown)

DWC and the delegation met representatives from 18 key tourism accounts and connected with 126 tourism professionals, who promote New Zealand in key markets, including North America, Europe, India, Southeast Asia, China and Australia. 

DWC and partners also hosted two events in the City of Sails, as well as meeting with Tourism New Zealand.

Patrick Dault, DWC Tourism and Destination Manager, said the timing of the mission to Auckland, just before TRENZ, was critical.

“It allows our tourism businesses that have existing connections to rekindle them just before the busiest and most important event in tourism for New Zealand (TRENZ). It also allows for newly established West Coast businesses to create relationships with travel sellers as well as other West Coast business.”

“Many of the participants have forged strong bonds that will enable them to not only cross sell products but develop new marketing strategies and packages to increase the West Coast’s attractiveness to offshore markets. After all tourism is a team sport,” Dault added.

Richard Benton, West Coast Wildlife Centre Director, said the event was well planned and coordinated.

“This has been a great way to connect in person with our preferred Inbound operators based in Auckland and share and refresh their knowledge around our West Coast products ,” he said.

It was Pounamu Pathway CEO Toko Kapea’s first time to attend the event. He said it helped him better understand how inbound tour operators worked, while building greater connections.

“It was also useful to develop close working and personal relationships with other West Coast businesses.”