Luxury New Zealand on show at the 2015 Singapore Yacht Show

As the multi-million-dollar boats cruised into Sentosa Cove for the 2015 Singapore Yacht Show, Tourism New Zealand and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) seized the opportunity to showcase New Zealand's scenery, coastline and shore-based luxury tourism offerings to their owners and the wider yachting community.

It was the first time Tourism New Zealand exhibited at the show, which has positioned itself as the Asia-Pacific's leading superyacht and luxury lifestyle event.

Steven Dixon, Tourism New Zealand's Regional Manager South and South East Asia, says the event was the ideal platform from which to implement Tourism New Zealand's superyacht attraction strategy, developed last year in conjunction with ATEED, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise and New Zealand Marine.

"The wider Asian region is a popular cruising ground and, with New Zealand and the Pacific a logical onward destination for superyachts, there is huge potential to attract yachts to New Zealand from the region."

Since formally launching in 2014, the Destination New Zealand Superyacht Attraction Initiative has had tangible results, with two record-breaking seasons in a row for New Zealand. The 2014/2015 season has seen 57 yachts cruise our waters to date - the highest number to visit New Zealand since the 2000 America's Cup.

"Each visiting superyacht represents over one million dollars in economic impact, making the overall benefit to the country hugely significant."

New Zealand was on show at a visual stand designed to command the attention of superyacht owners and the wider yachting fraternity.

The ten New Zealand operators attending the show used the stand as a base for meetings, where discussion centred on encouraging private yachts to New Zealand, chartering here and luxury travel more broadly.

Tourism New Zealand's presence at the Singapore Yacht Show is well aligned with the organisation's premium sector strategy, says Steven.

"With the show having a strong focus on the wider luxury sector, the stand aided the goal of cementing New Zealand's offering as a luxury destination and raised further awareness of the country as a destination for high-spending visitors."

Tourism New Zealand also attended the Asia Pacific Yachting Conference on 21 and 22 April, at Singapore's ONE°15 Marina Club, where they sponsored two networking lunches and used a speaking slot to outline New Zealand's luxury tourism offering, as well as showing TNZ's Big Blue video and providing superyacht cruising information.

sourced:traveldailynews.asia