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Tourism NZ: New Zealand’s first online flagship travel store to launch in China

Direct News Source

03-Aug-2017 New Zealand will be front of mind for millions of keen Chinese travellers following a partnership between Tourism New Zealand and China's largest online travel agency, Ctrip.

The two organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will see the development of specialised travel products based on travellers' needs and preferences further promoting New Zealand to Ctrip's 300 million members.

"China is New Zealand's second biggest tourism market and our top priority is to continually improve the travel quality and experience for Chinese travellers. Ctrip delivers high quality services to both group and individual travellers and we believe this partnership will provide a more in-depth and high-quality travel experience to Chinese travellers," said Gregg Wafelbakker, Tourism New Zealand's General Manager Asia.

"Our partnership with Ctrip will see the launch of the first online flagship store for New Zealand-based travel providing Chinese travellers with all the information they're looking for about our country, activity and accommodation recommendations, and reservation capacity."

Founded in 1999, Ctrip.com is now China's leading provider of travel services including accommodation reservation, transport ticketing (including flights, trains, and long-haul buses), package tours, corporate travel management, and destination services (including car rental, insurances, visa services, and attraction tickets). It has offices in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Korea, Japan, the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. Ctrip's mobile app, launched in 2013, has been downloaded more than 1 billion times.

"In the past year (to June 2017) 296,336 Chinese nationals holidayed in New Zealand. More than half of these visitors were independent travellers, rather than being part of a tourist group. Our Ctrip online store will make it easier for independent travellers to learn more about New Zealand, and plan and book their holiday here," says Mr Wafelbakker.

"We know from experience that safety, climate, and adventure activities are high priorities for Chinese travellers. We will be able to promote our range of activities and uniqueness of New Zealand directly to this audience through Ctrip and show travellers that there is a lot to see and do in New Zealand, safely, without travelling far."