International buyers at TRENZ 2013 have a Qualmark endorsement top of mind when seeking out and promoting quality businesses, says Cameron Lawrence, Qualmark New Zealand’s Service & Account’s Manager. Qualmark recently attended TRENZ (in April) alongside around 250 New Zealand tourism operators and 290 invited international travel and tourism buyers. Cameron says more than 85 per cent of the tourism products on display were Qualmark endorsed, sending a clear signal to international trade and buyers that the industry takes quality very seriously.

“The importance placed on the sourcing of quality product was very evident from our meetings with travel trade, and it is clear that for many Qualmark was front of mind as a mechanism to recognise these quality businesses. Particularly in our meetings with buyers from China and other parts of Asia, there was a definite predisposition to engage with officially star rated or endorsed accommodation and activities.”

Cameron also noted that feedback indicated that Qualmark’s Enviro awards (which have now been awarded to over 1000 New Zealand tourism businesses) are viewed as an excellent promotional opportunity for travel businesses.

More than 50 new businesses have achieved Qualmark quality assurance since January 2013, with a number of these operators attending TRENZ for the first time.

TIA organises and manages TRENZ which is supported by Tourism New Zealand, Air New Zealand, Qantas and other industry partners. The TRENZ website can be viewed here.