‘Travel venue good’

Press, 26 November 1982, Page 9

‘Travel venue good’

PA Wellington Travel agents have written to all members of Parliaments defending their choice of Singapore as the venue for their recent convention.

The Travel Agents’ Association held a four-day convention in Singapore in October. It was attended by 323 delegates from New Zealand. The association’s executive director, Mr Peter Lowry, has told members of Parliament that views expressed in Parliament about the convention’s being held overseas were unfair and unfounded.

The association was concerned that some members of Parliament regarded the convention as a, week-long holiday in Singapore and of

little value to New Zealand tourism.

“Our convention in Singapore had been planned for two years and a substantial effort has been put into the promotion of New Zealand in Asia and, in particular, the A.S.E.A.N. region,” Mr Lowry said.

Never before had there been such a determined and collective promotion of New Zealand in the region.

The association held its convention overseas only every three years. It would go overseas only if the destination was on-line to Air New Zealand, had potential for New Zealand tourism and kindred associations could be persuaded to meet in New Zealand.

Mr Lowry said the association’s convention in Tasmania, in 1979, had resulted in 800 Australian travel agents holding a convention in Christchurch earlier this year. Travel .agents in Singapore had indicated they would hold a convention in New Zealand.

“Tourism is a very competitive industry world-wide and a nation will only succeed in increasing its share of any market by going into the selected market and promoting strongly. “This is what T.A.A.N.Z. did in taking its convention to Singapore,” Mr Lowry said.

The association will hold its 1983 convention in Wellington.