{"id":354645,"date":"2026-03-30T04:14:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T04:14:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/354645\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T04:14:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T04:14:09","slug":"auckland-travel-show-bets-big-on-kiwis-choosing-trips-over-renovations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/354645\/","title":{"rendered":"Auckland travel show bets big on Kiwis choosing trips over renovations"},"content":{"rendered":"
\u201cIt wasn\u2019t too big a step for us to pivot from high-end food to high-end travel. We\u2019ve always worked closely with airlines through some of our other events, and we\u2019ve had people from the travel industry who are keen for another big showcase event, so we thought let\u2019s take a look at it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lemongrass Productions founder Rob Elliot.<\/p>\n
Elliot said there was plenty of crossover when it comes to hospitality and tourism, noting they often go hand-in-hand.<\/p>\n
He said food, overseas and for New Zealand, was effectively a tourism export, as travellers seek new culinary experiences to complement their travels.<\/p>\n
With the Auckland Travel Show, Elliot said he wanted to create an event as \u201cinspirational as the act of travelling itself\u201d, with the aim of encapsulating where the greatest places and experiences are worldwide.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there\u2019s been an incredible shift after Covid. During Covid there was a lot of talk within the industry about pent-up demand when people couldn\u2019t travel and had to re-evaluate their priorities.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow travel has become a major priority. Straight off the back of Covid people got out there and did those trips that they hadn\u2019t been able to do for a couple of years.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve probably got over that immediate travel after Covid, and now we\u2019re seeing people will prioritise these special travel experiences over maybe renovating the bathroom or buying a new car, so there\u2019s this real sense of change.\u201d<\/p>\n
The second iteration of the event will move from Auckland Showgrounds to the recently opened New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC).<\/p>\n
Elliot said the location was one of the most exciting things to happen to Auckland for a long time and that it couldn\u2019t be understated how important it would be to the events sector.<\/p>\n
He said Auckland had diversified in recent years after the relaxation of some planning rules, and spaces including Auckland\u2019s Domain were being utilised more as a result.<\/p>\n
Lemongrass Productions has worked extensively in locations such as the Auckland Showgrounds and The Cloud on Auckland\u2019s Viaduct, but Elliot said costs to dress up such venues for events can be high.<\/p>\n
The opening of a more modern, sleek venue offers more choice for event management companies to choose from, boosting the potential for what can be hosted in New Zealand.<\/p>\n
The NZICC has 121 events booked for 2026, with more expected to be added to the schedule for future years.<\/p>\n
Elliot said travel expos will continue to feature going forward, but he is keen to ensure the Auckland Travel Show stands out.<\/p>\n
\u201cTypically they\u2019ve been run as sales-type events, often run by a travel agency. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal is very different. We want to set up an event that just blows people away.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe enjoy working with brands who are really there to engage with the audience. We think there\u2019s an amazing opportunity here because the world has some pretty amazing places you can go and we just want to present that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tom Raynel is a multimedia business journalist for the Herald, covering small business, retail and tourism.<\/p>\n