The business events mission to Auckland and Christchurch – with Wellington buyers flown in – comes as the Cairns region sees a significant spike in visitors from New Zealand, with travellers to far north Queensland up by more than 45 per cent in the year to March 2026.
“Port Douglas and Cairns have traditionally been popular as incentive destinations and for corporate groups from New Zealand and with year-round flight access from Christchurch and seasonal flights from Auckland we are in a strong position to reinvigorate this market,” said Business Events Cairns and Great Barrier Reef head Tara Bennett.
The convention bureau is being joined in New Zealand by several Cairns and Port Douglas operators, including Cairns Convention Centre, Accor and the Crystalbrook Collection alongside Business Events Port Douglas.
“Together we will promote Tropical North Queensland as an easily accessible, experienced international business events destination with the advantage of a warm tropical climate and two World Heritage areas as a backdrop,” said Bennett, ahead of the trip.
“In addition to showcasing our conference and meeting venues we will be discussing the diversity of offsite event locations such as The Magazine, a stunning new historic venue that was once used to store ammunition.
“Our diverse repurposed venues from a sugar wharf to World War II fuel tanks have struck a chord with event organisers who also like the ability to host outdoor events on the waterfront, in a cane field or under the rainforest canopy.
“We will also be highlighting our unique transformational experiences for incentive programs including coral restoration on the Great Barrier Reef and Tropical North Queensland wildlife encounters with saltwater crocodiles and kangaroos.
“Our group of seven will be travelling the same routes delegates will take, heading to Auckland with Air New Zealand and returning from Christchurch with Jetstar, which ensure minimal travel time to and from Cairns.”
