A new national convention centre in the heart of Auckland will significantly boost New Zealand’s ability to attract lucrative international conferences and events, says Conventions & Incentives New Zealand (CINZ).
“The announcement by the Government that it is negotiating with Sky City to build a national convention centre in Auckland is fantastic news for business tourism in this country,” says CINZ chief executive Alan Trotter.
“We’ve been lobbying for the best part of two decades for a national convention centre that could accommodate large international events that we’ve missed out on in the past because we didn’t have an appropriate venue."
"This facility is desperately needed, particularly now as Christchurch’s purpose-built convention centre cannot be used because of the damage it sustained in February’s quake.”
“Hosting conferences and conventions is big business, adding about $1 billion to our economy each year. If we want to build on that we need to provide bigger and better facilities or we will lose out to other destinations. Sydney’s found that out the hard way; it’s missed out on around AUS$500 million over the past five years because of its failure to secure major international conferences."
Mr Trotter says given the tight economic conditions, the agreement reached in principal between the Government and Sky City is a pragmatic and realistic solution to a long-term problem.
“It is vital that we invest in our business tourism infrastructure. The agreement announced today allows us to do that without putting any undue burden on taxpayers or Auckland ratepayers. It’s a win-win that will result in more visitors, more jobs and more money coming into our economy.’’
CINZ figures show international conference delegates coming to New Zealand for business tourism purposes spend an average of $440 a night - around four times more than other international visitor spend. Most convention activity occurs in New Zealand’s off-peak winter season, May through to September, adding a much needed boost during these months.
“The yield we get per person from business tourism is much higher than the yield we get from leisure visitors so that’s why it is such a crucial segment of our industry. If we want to continue to attract these high value visitors then we need this international convention centre,” Mr Trotter says.
