Tuesday, July 16, 2024 Tourism New Zealand ‘s much-anticipated trade event, Kiwi Link India, has made a grand return after a five-year hiatus. This year, a delegation of 40 members is set to reconnect with nearly 200 Indian travel sellers in Mumbai, fostering renewed partnerships and exploring opportunities to promote New Zealand as a prime travel destination for Indian tourists. The event marks a significant milestone in strengthening ties between the two countries’ travel industries.
“India is an incredibly important market for New Zealand, that represents growth and opportunity,” says Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive René de Monchy , who attended the event. “With one of the fastest-growing outbound travel markets in the world, a vibrant economy, and consumers who have an increasing interest in destination New Zealand, India is an attractive opportunity.” New Zealand Tops the Bucket List for Over 18 Million Indians New Zealand has captured the imagination of over 18 million Indians who are seriously considering it as their next travel destination.
Remarkably, more than 40% of these potential visitors have placed New Zealand at the very top of their bucket list. In 2023, over 70% of holiday visitors from India chose to explore New Zealand during its off-peak seasons, from March to November. This trend highlights the growing appeal of New Zealand’s diverse attractions and experiences beyond its traditional peak tourism months.
“Visitors from India will support our new focus on growing year-round visitation. Our off-peak seasons align well with key travel periods in India including Diwali in October-November and the Indian summer break between April and June.” Indian Tourists Enchanted by New Zealand’s Year-Round Allure Indian travelers are increasingly captivated by New Zealand’s breathtaking landscapes, thrilling adventure activities, unique cultural experiences, and the warmth of its people.
These enchanting experiences can be enjoyed throughout the year, making New Zealand a perennial favorite among Indian tourists. At the recent Kiwi Link India event, the New Zealand delegation showcased a diverse mix of representatives from Regional Tourism Organisations, hotels, attractions, airports, airlines, and Immigration New Zealand. The event featured a series of one-on-one meetings and training sessions, where New Zealand tourism industry experts shared the latest updates on destination New Zealand, emphasizing the appeal of off-peak travel experiences.
“Over 85% of all holiday arrivals from India book through a travel agent, so working closely with the travel trade in India is an integral part of our strategy. It’s important we run events like Kiwi Link India to educate travel sellers on what New Zealand has to offer across all our seasons,” Mr de Monchy said..
