Registrations open and theme announced for Tourism Summit Aotearoa
This year's Tourism Summit Aotearoa, whose theme is 'Tourism Inc: Distinctive by Design', takes place in Christchurch on November 4
Registrations have opened for this year’s Tourism Summit Aotearoa, after its theme was revealed as ‘Tourism Inc: Distinctive by Design’.
Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) Chief Executive Rebecca Ingram said the event will explore what it means
to be distinctive by design, both for individual tourism operators and the New Zealand tourism sector as a collective.
“Each year Tourism Summit Aotearoa gives us the opportunity to bring the industry together, through a mix of international and local perspectives, looking at how tourism can continue to grow across all regions – and at all
levels of business,” said Ingram.
“This year we’ll examine how purposeful decisions can help create competitive advantage, drive innovation, strengthen global competitiveness and shape experiences that could only come from Aotearoa New Zealand.”
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In collaboration with Tourism New Zealand, TIA also announced the Summit’s first keynote speaker as George Cao; co-founder and CEO of Dragon Trail International.
Dragon Trail is a strategic China-market intelligence and marketing partner, providing consumer and trade insights, digital marketing expertise and guidance on emerging travel and technology trends to help convert demand from China, said Tourism New Zealand General Manager International Angela Blair.
“As New Zealand’s tourism sector continues to grow and focus on increasing value in the near-term, Asia presents a growth opportunity from a diverse range of source markets where travellers are looking for genuine and thrilling experiences.
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“George’s insights into how New Zealand can harness emerging travel trends alongside quickly evolving technology and distribution patterns, will be invaluable for Summit attendees,” said Blair.
Registrations are now open for this year’s Tourism Summit Aotearoa, with an Early Bird registration available until 30 July.
Widely regarded as tourism’s must-attend thought leadership event – and a key annual event on the tourism calendar – this year’s Tourism Summit Aotearoa and New Zealand Tourism Awards will be held on Wednesday 4
November 2026 at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
