03 September 2009

Australia chases NZ incentives biz

AUCKLAND - Tourism Australia will be targeting corporate meeting and incentive decision makers in New Zealand with an expanded presence at the 2009 Pacific Area Incentives and Conferences Expo (PAICE), to be held at the SkyCity Auckland Convention Centre next Tuesday.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœWith strong competition between destinations for business events such as corporate meetings and incentives, and a decline in business events travel worldwide, Tourism Australia is taking a proactive approach to increasing AustraliaÃ¢â¬â¢s visibility in the international marketplace,Ã¢â¬~ Tourism Australia executive chairman Rick Allert said.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœNew Zealand is an especially important market for the Australian business events industry as it is not constrained by time and distance issues that can often be associated with business travel to Australia.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœIn the current financial climate, Australia offers value for money and participation in events such as PAICE present a prime opportunity to position Australia as an exceptional short-haul business events destination whilst fostering a stronger presence in the New Zealand market,Ã¢â¬~ Allert said.