Christchurch will host the 14th annual TravelManagers Conference in August 2021, bringing together over 600 travel sellers from Australia to explore the city and wider Canterbury region has to offer.
It is the first time the meeting has been held in New Zealand. The conference has previously been held across Australia, Asia and the Pacific.
Tourism New Zealand General Manager Australia, Andrew Waddel says, “We’re thrilled to welcome the TravelManagers Conference to Aotearoa in 2021. Many Australians book their holidays with agents so they are an incredibly important audience.
“Travel agents are key destination storytellers for New Zealand. Hosting this group of agents gives us the opportunity to showcase our breath-taking landscapes, unforgettable experiences and warm and welcoming locals.”
The conference is another big win for the local tourism sector, showcasing once again that Christchurch is open for business.
Part of the House of Travel Group, TravelManagers Australia Pty Ltd has hundreds of home-based personal travel managers across Australia. These agents book a significant amount of travel into New Zealand delivering significant value to the local economy from the Australian market. Conferences like TravelManagers 2021 are crucial in educating this key travel sector on what is on offer here.
Loren Heaphy, ChristchurchNZ General Manager of Destination & Attraction, says it’s an incredible opportunity to welcome these influential travel managers to explore the city and the wider region.
“We are delighted to partner with Tourism New Zealand and Christchurch International Airport to bring this conference to Christchurch. It is a well-deserved endorsement for the future of tourism in our region.”
The conference will comprise educational sessions, workshops, a tradeshow and community events. Local tourism operators will also have the chance to be involved in an activity afternoon and diverse famil programmes.
“Australia is a key international market and our city is ready to welcome Australian tourism buyers. We want to show off our innovative city and stunning region and ensure our travel partners and visitors have a memorable experience while here”, Heaphy said.
Michael Gazal, TravelManagers Executive General Manager says, “We are ecstatic to be hosting our first New Zealand conference in Christchurch. We look forward to partnering with ChristchurchNZ, Tourism New Zealand and Christchurch International Airport to make this another memorable occasion and to making a meaningful impact on the growth of Christchurch visitor arrivals.”
