Thai agents gain inside track

BANGKOK Three leading outbound travel agencies in Thailand have gained the inside track to speed visa arrangements for business visitors travelling on incentive tours or to corporate events organised in New Zealand.
The three companies will be able to offer their business event clients faster processing time and reduced paperwork.
Processing will be reduced to three days and the requirement to provide evidence of funds and employment will be “deemed to be met” through a letter of support issued by the travel agent.
Tourism New Zealand, keen to tap Thailand’s business events market inked with Immigration New Zealand to streamline the visa process. It also provides a strong endorsement of the travel agency booking channel that supplies a substantial number of visitors to New Zealand for business related events.
inside no 7New Zealand hopes to grow incentive groups and conferences from Thailand and this has led to this new tourism industry partnership, signed in Bangkok, Wednesday, The signing ceremony was witnessed by New Zealand Ambassador to Thailand, Reuben Levermore.
Tourism New Zealand and Immigration New Zealand selected three key travel agents for the partnership; Global Link International, Green Line Travel and Big World Holiday.
All three agencies have a proven track record for organising and promoting group travel business to New Zealand.
Immigration New Zealand area manager, Antony Harris said, “For INZ this is about being able to work closer with trusted partners to facilitate high value clients going to NZ.
“We are looking forward to working closer with agents to improve customer service and take advantage of opportunities to grow the business events sector.”
Tourism New Zealand’s Regional Manager, Nick Mudge added: “We have selected agents based on their ability to bring high value visitors to New Zealand.
We’re seeing increasing interest from the business events sector out of Thailand and look forward to being able to grow this more rapidly as a result of this agreement.”
New Zealand is focused on attracting more high-value conference and incentive visitors. It is set to open three new conferencing facilities by 2018 to meet demand.

sourced:ttrweekly.com