Tourism NZ: Queenstown gearing up to welcome Amway China

Destination Queenstown's Chief Executive, Graham Budd says preparations are nearly complete in Queenstown to welcome the first wave of Amway's top sellers when they arrive on 2 April.

"The arrival of Amway China is almost here, after 18 months of preparations behind the scenes by event organisers and the businesses involved who have been working tirelessly to ensure this incentive trip is successful for Queenstown and Amway."

The large-scale incentive business was secured in 2016 thanks to the joint efforts of Tourism New Zealand, Destination Queenstown, Air New Zealand and Immigration New Zealand.

It supports Tourism New Zealand's strategy to grow the value of international tourism to New Zealand by bringing visitors here in the shoulder season, and generating a significant economic benefit.

Tourism New Zealand's Chief Executive, Stephen England-Hall says the benefits from the trip will be felt right throughout the country.

"The upcoming Amway China visit is the largest single piece of incentive business Tourism New Zealand has ever been involved with. It has already raised New Zealand's profile as a business event destination, particularly in the China market.

"Some of the Amway sellers have chosen to explore the rest of New Zealand while they are here for the seminar. This additional travel means other regions throughout the country will also benefit from the trip."

The Hilton Queenstown Resort and Spa, Double Treeby Hilton Queenstown, and Queenstown Village Apartments are the accommodation providers for the group that will arrive in 11 waves of around 560, with each wave spending five days in Queenstown.

While they are in Queenstown the sellers will take part in half- and full-day itineraries around the region. Activities include a cruise in Milford Sound, a Nomad Safari Gold Seeker Tour, a Glenorchy Discovery Tour, a visit to Walter Peak Station, a tour of Arrowtown, and an AJ Hackett Bungy and Nevis Swing.

A gala dinner is also being held at Coronet Peak ski area and a departure day lunch will be held at Skyline Queenstown's Stratosfare Restaurant and Bar for each of the waves.

"The benefit of an incentive trip of this size for the Queenstown community is two-fold. Not only does the timing of the travel in our autumn shoulder season benefit the operators involved and local businesses that delegates will discover during their free time, but the scale of the programme helps to showcase our credentials and lift Queenstown's profile as a high calibre incentive destination," says Graham.

Travel is increasingly being used by businesses around the globe-like Amway- as a reward to motivate staff and recognise performance.

Tourism New Zealand's International Business Events team engages with businesses that are keen to motivate their employees and reward workplace success to promote the benefits of incentive travel to New Zealand.

"The incentive market is a valuable one for Tourism New Zealand to tap into because of the value it delivers to New Zealand and its economy.

"In the past financial year our global team bid for 181 incentive opportunities and won $35million worth of business. It's looking as though we will achieve just as impressive results from the current financial year with $30.8million worth of incentive business already secured," says Stephen.