The Ashburton District was on show last week to more than 330 international buyers at the tourism trade show Trenz.

Sixteen buyers, from mainly Europe and Asia, also visited the district for a first-hand look, ahead of the show, which was held at Te Pae in Christchurch. About 1500 delegates and over 300 New Zealand tourism businesses were showcasing their products and services.

The buyers were taken on a short guided tour of the Ashburton District last Monday, travelling by bus along the Inland Route 72 to the Staveley Store, where they were treated to a Kiwi-style paper bag morning tea. They then had a chance to soak in the new Opuke Thermal Hot Pools, before heading to Ashburton and then Farmers Corner for lunch.

The group, which was accompanied by Ashburton District Council Economic Development manager Simon Worthington, then spent some time at the internationally-recognised Ashburton Aviation Museum before heading back to Christchurch.

Mr Worthington headed the district’s stall at Trenz, where 50 appointments were pre-booked with interested parties.

Compliance and Development Group Manager Jane Donaldson said it was important for the district to have a presence at the trade show, where operators were catching up with buyers after a Covid-enforced break.

“While the domestic tourism market is important for us, so too is the international market and there is lots of enthusiasm for affordable destinations or places to escape to. With the new Opuke hot pools open and the Staveley Ice Rink under development, we have plenty for people to enjoy.”

The tourism trade buyers were reacquainting themselves with what New Zealand has to offer and purchasing accommodation, transport and activities to include in brochures, websites and itineraries for the coming international holiday seasons.

Trenz is managed by Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) on behalf of the Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust and chief executive Rebecca Ingram said the event would allow existing relationships to be renewed and new ones to be discovered.

She said international visitor arrivals over the past few months were sitting at around 66 per cent of pre-Covid levels and that it might take 2-3 years before settling into a new normal pattern.

Promoting the Ashburton District to visitors became a direct Council role in February, after Christchurch NZ withdrew from its three-year contract.

Council is planning a get-together for district tourism operators at the end of the month, giving operators a chance to meet Council staff and discuss their needs and ideas.