This year’s New Zealand Hotel Industry Conference (NZHIC), being held at The Langham Auckland this week (Jun 4), is sold out, something that’s “reflecting the positive momentum this sector is experiencing” according to organisers TIA and Horwath HTL.
“We passed the 300 mark on Friday and had to close off registrations, the first time this has happened in the conference’s nine year history,” said Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) Hotels Sector Manager, Sally Attfield.
“We are delighted at the response and are preparing for a really inspiring event that will ultimately help New Zealand hotels build on the great results they have recorded over the past year to become more productive and profitable.”
Horwath HTL Director, Stephen Hamilton, said the conference program features a line-up of 30 expert international and New Zealand presenters and panelists.
“The program will provide delegates with valuable insight into the hot issues and trends affecting hotels in New Zealand and globally.
“This ranges from TripAdvisor and Expedia executives presenting on the impact online reviews and new booking technology are having on hotel guest behaviour, to a discussion on what tomorrow’s hotels will look like, including interior design trends,” he said.
Hamilton said the conference would open with a keynote presentation from Jones Lang LaSalle’s Mark Durran on hotel investment in New Zealand and the outlook.
“This is vitally important given our tourism industry is aiming to significantly grow international visitor numbers over the coming decade,” Hamilton said.
Attfield said many conference delegates are also attending the New Zealand Hotel Forum TIA is running the day before the conference, which will tackle two of the sector’s thorniest issues, being revenue performance and people and skills.
A full report of NZHIC will be published on Friday June 5.