Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), Chief Executive Lisa Hopkins says the reduction of restrictions is a further move in the right direction for the sector’s recovery after border reopening was announced last week.
The New Zealand government’s announcement ending vaccine mandates from 4 April, and increasing indoor event capacity to 200 from Friday, 25 March is a step forward for the business events sector.
Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), Chief Executive Lisa Hopkins says the reduction of restrictions is a further move in the right direction for the sector’s recovery after border reopening was announced last week.
“This positive news from the Prime Minister will start to bring back vital confidence and clarity for event decision-makers. We look forward to the next review of the Covid Protection Framework settings on 4 April.
“Our sector hasn’t been able to work effectively since last August when traffic light settings of the Covid Protection Framework were set at Red and gathering numbers restricted to 100. Confidence has been at an all-time low,” she says.
Speaking from Melbourne, where she is attending the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) 2022, Hopkins says up to 100 multi-day international conferences and events are waiting to confirm bookings for New Zealand.
“New Zealand has world-class venue infrastructure ready, with Te Pae Christchurch now open, Tākina Wellington for next year, and the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in Auckland to follow.
“We are seeing a lot of interest and excitement here today. Event organisers in Australia are telling us they want to bring their client business back to New Zealand. The positive messages from the Prime Minister today will now drive a sense of surety as we work towards fewer restrictions,” Hopkins says.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
