Tourism New Zealand virtually launched its new campaign ‘Messages from New Zealand’ today in presence of Steven Dixon, Regional Trade Marketing Manager, Asia, Tourism New Zealand and His Excellency, David Pine, New Zealand’s High Commissioner to India.
‘Messages from New Zealand’ features everyday New Zealanders sharing video messages of hope and care with their international whānau (family), presenting a unique Kiwi perspective about what is important to them. The campaign showcases locals who embody the values of manaakitanga (hospitality) and kaitiakitanga (care for the land) through positivity and encouragement. This beautifully captures their wholesome messages of kindness and compassion to family, friends and loved ones all around the world.
The campaign will be released through social and digital channels. Each of these ‘Messages’ will show that New Zealand is a country which is driven by what matters in life, underpinned by the purity of its values such as Manaakitanga and Kaitiakitanga.
And to build on the success of these webinars, and further engage and educate agents, Tourism New Zealand will launch a ‘Virtual Road Trip’ campaign later this week. The ‘Virtual Road Trip’ will showcase a different region of the country each month. This campaign will be shared on Tourism New Zealand’s travel trade website.
To bring to life the campaign in India, Tourism New Zealand will be partnering with its Indian whānau, including influencers – who have a strong affinity with New Zealand – highlighting their own personal experiences and connections with the country.
Commenting on the campaign, Dixon says, “The travel industry has been impacted by the Covid-19 crisis tremendously in the past few months and it is important now more than ever, that we stay connected to visitors and our travel trade friends in India. New Zealand is a place where manuhiri (guests) become whānau (family). These relationships are something that we, as New Zealanders, are proud of and want to celebrate and continue in perpetuity. Through Messages from New Zealand, we are staying in touch with our international whānau, including those right here in India, and letting them know that we are waiting to welcome them to our shores again when the time is right and borders reopen.”
One example of how Tourism New Zealand has been keeping connections strong in India, is its response to a survey conducted in May 2020 among travel trade representatives. The survey highlighted that 99% of travel trade contacts were interested in attending Tourism New Zealand hosted webinars during the lockdown period.
To meet this need, Tourism New Zealand conducted ten webinars during the lockdown period in India, which saw 5,000 travel agents across India participate.