North Americans are top of the list for a new tourism campaign aiming to bring travellers back into Auckland and Queenstown.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, Auckland Airport and Destination Queenstown have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to create packages for both leisure and business travellers.
The itineraries will focus on must-do experiences in the regions including food, golf, luxury, outdoors, arts and culture and low-carbon experiences.
Ricky Wilson/Stuff
The organisations will work together to promote Auckland and Queenstown as a package tourism deal. (File photo)
Before the borders were closed due to the Covid-19 outbreak, 46% of all United States visitor spending in New Zealand was in Auckland and Queenstown.
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The aim was for the itineraries to encourage more North American visitors to come to Aotearoa and spend more of their time and money, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive Nick Hill said.
Auckland Airport’s general manager aeronautical and commercial Scott Tasker said even pre-Covid, North America was an important and growing market for arrivals into Auckland Airport.
AP
North America is expected to overtake China as Auckland Airport’s second-biggest tourism market. (File photo)
“We expect arrivals from the USA alone to overtake China as our second-biggest tourism market this year and hold that position until at least 2026.”
The proposition for North American travellers was a slower, more immersive travel experience in New Zealand, Destination Queenstown chairperson Richard Thomas said.
“This partnership aims to invite travellers to visit two complementary New Zealand destinations – Queenstown, with its majestic landscapes and world-class experiences, and Auckland, with its bustling, cultural vibrancy within the Hauraki Gulf.”
The MOU will see the three organisations work together on joint sales calls and in-market representation, road shows, media and promotions.
