Seattle hosts successful Kiwi Link North America

A range of innovative tourism offerings demonstrating unique kiwi experiences were on show in Seattle at Kiwi Link North America 2011.

Delegates from 31 New Zealand tourism businesses travelled to the US city for this year's event to meet with 135 travel sellers and product managers from key US and Canadian travel companies.

The 2011 event was held in Seattle from 27 April to 1 May, with some New Zealand companies taking up an optional extension to Philadelphia and Toronto from 2 - 5 May to meet with travel sellers in those cities.

Tourism New Zealand General Manager Western Long Haul Markets Gregg Anderson said the strong turnout was positive for New Zealand's tourism industry.

"We were extremely pleased to have such a strong turnout of sellers from key North American travel companies at this year's event. Delegates from New Zealand companies were universally impressed with the commitment of travel sellers at the event and their knowledge of New Zealand," he said.

"North American travel companies love the event because it gives them a chance to talk face to face with Kiwi companies about what's new in New Zealand. For New Zealand businesses, it's both a networking opportunity and a chance to do business with many of the key travel sellers in North America."

Kiwi Link North America is held every two years. In 2009, the event was held in LA with an extension to Vancouver. Thirty six New Zealand tourism businesses attended the 2009 event to meet with 124 US travel sellers in LA and 81 Canadian travel sellers in Vancouver.