NZPA reports that the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand says a national convention centre in Auckland capable of hosting 2500 delegates should be a top priority for an incoming government.

A convention centre in the Auckland CBD, estimated to cost about $350 million, would attract a major new sector of business travellers, delivering direct economic benefits to the whole country. It would grow what was currently a $250m industry from such international visitors, the association claimed.

Currently the country could not host a conference larger than 1500 delegates.

The average international conference delegate spent $650 every day they were in New Zealand, compared with the average daily visitor spend of just $130, association chief executive Tim Cossar said.

Tourism Auckland also said the lack of a globally competitive national convention centre was the most obvious gap in New Zealand’s tourism infrastructure.

A Report by The Mole

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