Tourism New Zealand Changes in the United Arab Emirates

Tourism New Zealand is making some changes to how it promotes New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates, which currently produces close to 2,000 holiday visitors a year.

From July 1, 2008 Tourism New Zealand’s London office will take over trade development responsibility for the United Arab Emirates.

In the past, the UAE trade development work has been carried out under contract on a part time basis from within the UAE.

Tourism New Zealand will also continue to support UAE travel companies with online information and training resources, trade familiarisation opportunities, invitations to New Zealand’s largest travel trade event, TRENZ, and to work with UAE wholesalers on New Zealand product and itinerary development.

Total visitor arrivals from the UAE for the year to February 2008 were 4,956, holiday arrivals made up 1909 of those.

Tourism New Zealand has recently transferred Gregg Anderson from his position as Australian Regional Manager to take up the same role for the UK, Europe and GCC States.

"The UAE market, whilst modest in size, has proven itself to be a good off season and high yield market for New Zealand. Should direct air services to New Zealand become a reality in the future, demand for leisure travel could accelerate significantly. This is why we need to stay engaged with the UAE market and ensure that the travel trade remains well supported by Tourism New Zealand" Gregg said.