Jamie-Lee Howard, director of Delectable Tours, says New Zealand is a significant market, with Kiwis tending to gravitate towards the company’s Taste of CBD Hidden Gems Tour but also enjoying the Founding Flavours Trail that focuses on Brisbane’s culinary evolution.
Like others at Bespoke, Howard was emphasising private, curated experiences which she feels provide significant potential out of New Zealand.
‘This is the first time we’ve taken part in a business-to-business session of this scale,’ she says. ‘We’re aiming to increase our profile with the travel trade, including those in New Zealand.’
She says the number of direct bookings Delectable receives from this side of the Tasman is proof that there is potential for agents here. ‘Kiwis are intrigued by the food scene that Brisbane has now.
‘Once someone has done a food tour anywhere in the world they start looking for them elsewhere. They are a great way to get a sense of place and explore a number of venues at one time.’
For private groups, Delectable offers anything from experiences with Indigenous chefs to hands-on chocolate making, curated tastings, coffee cupping, customised after-dark tours and more.
Justin Steele, of Local Sauce Tours says the company is increasingly receiving requests from travel agents and advisors to come up with customised routes and interactions with suppliers – often based on a specific theme.
‘We’ve been focusing on trade and the international market for a couple of years now. Private tours improve the financial viability of our company as a whole so it makes sense to increase that side of the business.’
He says New Zealanders are looking for a local flavour in their Brisbane experiences.
‘We’ve had repeat clients from New Zealand on multiple tours. Many of them have already seen the main landmarks but we can take them to new neighbourhoods or a spot that they won’t find in the guidebooks.
‘We’re out there every day and night so when a new bar, café or restaurant opens we often know about it before it becomes public knowledge.’
