Tourism Australia is set to appoint an Aussie Specialist Programme (ASP) trainer in the New Zealand market. The recruitment process is underway now. For all non-ASP related business the contact will be TA’s Sydney-based general manager domestic and New Zealand Andrew Hutchinson and his team.

Phillipa Harrison, TA’s managing director, says the move reflects the importance of personal meetings now that the trans Tasman bubble has opened.

Tourism Tasmania is pleased with the start of the Air New Zealand flight between Auckland and Hobart, and the office is hearing from New Zealand trade that there is plenty of interest in the destination.

Chief executive of Tourism Tasmania, John Fitzgerald, says Air New Zealand is also reporting to be happy with how things are tracking.

‘We are tracking where we thought we would be and the holiday periods of July and October are looking strong. We’re super confident about the market long term.’

The New Zealand market into Queensland is showing the patterns that the domestic Australia sector did when state borders opened, according to Tourism & Events Queensland.

Michael Branagh, group executive global marketing at TEQ, says both started slowly while confidence built up.

‘We are starting to see a pick-up from New Zealand and we are optimistic of that continuing. Once it gets colder we’ll see more interest.

Putting together packages with experiences clients can not find in the average brochure and connecting with small businesses that don’t necessarily have a strong presence on this side of the Tasman are among the aims of 17 New Zealanders with face to face appointments at Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE21) in Sydney this week.

Buyers were also checking out high end accommodation and activities, plus adventure options for families and couples.

TRAVELinc Memo caught up with around 20 Kiwis here were at ATE21 in Sydney this week.

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