China Luxury Award Win a Boon for NZ Tourism Industry

Auckland Airport New Zealand’s recognition as a luxury destination by Chinese travellers shows efforts to attract more affluent visitors from this market are starting to gain traction, says Martin Snedden, Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) Chief Executive. New Zealand was awarded the title of “World’s Best Luxury Destination 2013” in the Shanghai Travelers’ Club 2013 Luxury Travel Awards. Three New Zealand businesses also won top awards – Auckland Airport was named World’s Best Airport, Whare Kea Lodge the Best Asia-Pacific Boutique Hotel, and Millbrook, the Best Asia-Pacific Golf Course. “Congratulations to all those winners. Their success will benefit the wider New Zealand tourism industry and boost our reputation in China as a high-quality visitor destination,” says Mr Snedden. “China has grown rapidly to become New Zealand’s second largest visitor market, with around 200,000 arrivals last year. Tourism operators, Tourism New Zealand, other government agencies and TIA are putting a lot of resource into getting more value out of this market, including attracting higher-value visitors and encouraging them to stay longer. “New Zealand’s success in these awards is to be celebrated and will help put us on the map with wealthy Chinese travellers as a must-visit destination.”