Uncertainty surrounding New Zealand’s ongoing Stage 4 lockdown has prompted organisers of the New Zealand Hotel Industry Conference (NZHIC) to cancel the 2020 event entirely and begin planning for 2021.
The decision sees the two-day event co-organised by Tourism Industry Aotearoa and Horwath HTL scrapped for the year, along with the gala dinner and awards ceremony. The original dates for the event were to have been 1-2 July 2020, taking place at The Cordis, Auckland.
The organising parties told HM the decision was not taken lightly, especially considering the event had grown significantly in recent years.
“We were well along with planning a fantastic programme for the 2020 conference which was to have taken place on 1-2 July in Auckland,” said Tourism Industry Aotearoa Hotel Sector Manager, Sally Attfield.
“But with so much uncertainty around how long New Zealand’s borders might remain closed and the ongoing impacts on our hotel sector, it did not seem appropriate to go ahead with this year’s event.
Horwath HTL Director, Stephen Hamilton, said the COVID-19 pandemic was taking a huge toll on hotels in New Zealand.
“At this time, all our efforts need to focus on getting our loved ones, our teams and our businesses through this unprecedented period. We are looking forward to bringing the conference back in 2021 when there will undoubtedly be many new issues to discuss.”
The New Zealand Hotel Industry Conference will next take place at The Cordis, Auckland from 16-17 June 2021.