New Zealand Targets Record $253 Million Business Events Pipeline
Tourism New Zealand Aims for 110 International Conference Bids in Next Financial Year
The Voice of Chandigarh | Travel Trade Reporter
Tourism New Zealand has announced an ambitious plan to secure 110 international conference bids worth a record NZ$253 million in the upcoming financial year, building on its strongest-ever performance in the business events sector.
Tourism New Zealand Business Events Global Manager Penelope Ryan said the organization is set to close the current financial year by achieving its target of 110 bids valued at NZ$185 million, the highest value recorded to date.
“We’re delighted to be closing out this financial year hitting our targets of 110 bids worth $185 million in value, which is the highest we’ve ever reached,” Ryan said.
Encouraged by the strong recovery of the business events industry, Tourism New Zealand has retained its target of 110 bids for the next year while significantly increasing the value target to NZ$253 million.
Ryan highlighted that business events remain a high-value segment of New Zealand’s tourism industry, attracting visitors who spend more, travel during off-peak seasons, and contribute to the country’s knowledge economy.
New Zealand’s growing appeal as a global conference destination has been reflected in the latest rankings by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). The country was recognized as an “early recovery leader” in 2025, climbing to 45th place globally, up from 48th in 2024. The number of association meetings hosted in 2025 also surpassed pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
According to new data released by the Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), multi-day conferences generated approximately NZ$925 million in economic activity across New Zealand in 2025 and contributed more than 735,000 international visitor nights.
Ryan attributed the positive momentum to New Zealand’s reputation as a safe and welcoming destination, along with the opening of world-class convention centres in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.
“We are also seeing increased interest from corporate and incentive groups from North America, Australia, and South-East Asia, including some that were originally considering Europe,” she added.
With a strong pipeline of international events and growing global demand, Tourism New Zealand expects the business events sector to play a key role in driving high-value tourism and economic growth across the country in the coming years.