Operator Hub
Growing Hurunui,
Together
Everything you need to promote Hurunui — logos, imagery, key messaging, regional information and tourism strategy documents.
Use what's here to tell the Hurunui story well, whether you're marketing your own operation or supporting the district as a whole.
Trade & Media Hub
Everything you need to tell the Hurunui story well. High-quality imagery, video, brand guidelines and key messaging — all in one place. If you have strong photography of your operation, send it through and we'll add it to the library. The better the imagery across the district, the stronger the story for everyone.
Our Seasonal EDM
At the start of each season, we send out an EDM to our operator database — this is the best way to stay informed and connected with what Hurunui Tourism has been up to. Keep up to date with our latest campaigns, events, and important updates, including opportunities to provide feedback on initiatives like our annual plan. Sign up below to receive our seasonal updates!
Hurunui Tourism Operator Evenings
Held in Hanmer Springs and Amberley every June or July, these mid-week evenings bring together local operators for insight, inspiration and connection. Two key speakers, regional activity updates from the team and dedicated networking time. Come to celebrate the work we've done together, look ahead and ensure you have a voice in shaping what's next.
DMP Advisory Group
We introduced the DMP Advisory Group to support the implementation of the Destination Management Plan strategy.This skills-based group brings together professionals from a wide range of sectors, each contributing valuable expertise, experience, and perspective to guide tourism development across the Hurunui region.
We’re very grateful to all members for giving their time and knowledge to help us implement the DMP.
Incorporating Reo
Te reo Māori is deeply woven into the history and identity of Hurunui. If you’d like to, incorporating simple greetings or sign-offs is a great way to acknowledge this and show respect for the place we live and work. Even small steps can make a difference, and this guide is here to support you if you’re keen to give it a go. Below you’ll find some helpful links and resources to help you get started, at your own pace.
Trade Tourism in NZ
key trade channels in NZ tourism
1. Inbound Tour Operators (ITOs): Work with international travel agents to sell NZ experiences.
2. Wholesalers: Sell pre-packaged NZ travel experiences to agents worldwide.
3. Online Travel Agents (OTAs): Platforms like Booking.com, Expedia, and Viator help distribute tourism products.
4. Trade Shows & Events: Key events like TRENZ, Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE), and regional roadshows are essential for networking and selling tourism products.
5. Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) Trade Partnerships: TNZ supports tourism operators by connecting them with trade partners and promoting NZ globally.
what is trade ready operator
A Trade Ready Operator is a tourism business that is fully prepared to work with travel trade partners such as travel agents, inbound tour operators (ITOs), wholesalers, and online travel agents (OTAs). These operators understand the commercial expectations of the travel trade and are comfortable offering commissionable rates, often providing attractive commission structures to incentivise bookings through third-party sellers. Being trade ready is not just about offering a great product — it’s about being a trusted and reliable partner in the tourism distribution network.
what is an ito?
Inbound tourism is defined as international tourist traffic entering a country. More recently, Inbound tourism is increasingly being referred to as export tourism, because although tourists are travelling through New Zealand, they are spending in foreign currency hence an export.Inbound Tourism is big business in New Zealand. As of 2016, it overtook dairy to become the number one source of export earnings to New Zealand. To read about the contribution made by tourism to the New Zealand economy, please refer to the latest Tourism Satellite Account report published by Statistics New Zealand.
Inbound Tour Operators play an important role in bringing these tourists to New Zealand, who in turn spend money on the varied tourism related product and service offerings around New Zealand. There has never been a better time or reason to utilise the expertise of an ITO.
More information here
Working with an Inbound Tourism Operator
Here is a video explaining the details of working with an inbound tourism operator
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiS6fKdgPpc
Becoming a Trade-Ready Operator
Becoming a trade-ready operator takes effort, but it's a crucial step in getting your product recognised on the international stage. Having trade-ready experiences in our region helps strengthen Hurunui's presence in global tourism markets, which is why we want to provide you with all the information and support we can.
Below are the key steps to becoming trade-ready and the information you need to begin your journey to being trade ready.
What You Need to Enter the Trade Space:
- Trade-Ready Product: A well-developed tourism experience that meets industry standards (e.g., commissionable pricing, set departure dates, safety compliance).
- Commission Structure: Be prepared to offer 10–30% commission to trade partners.
- Marketing Materials: High-quality imagery, trade brochures, and rate sheets.
- Online Booking System: A seamless way for trade partners to book and access availability.
- Consistent Branding & Storytelling: A clear, compelling brand that aligns with NZ tourism's strengths.
- Strong Relationships: Building connections with ITOs, wholesalers, and agents through trade shows and networking.
- Tourism Accreditation: Memberships with groups like Qualmark can add credibility.
Health & Safety Compliance: Must meet commercial activity operator standards and adhere to all relevant industry health and safety requirements, ensuring guest wellbeing and trade confidence.