A new World Economic Forum (WEF) report points to business events as a significant growth driver for tourism and New Zealand must be part of that wave, says Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA). Travel and Tourism at a Turning Point: Principles for Transformative Growth Insight Report (July 2025) shows the business events sector – meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions – is projected to grow at 9% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) between 2025 and 2030, from US$870bn in 2024, outpacing the rest of the business travel segment.
The report points to business events as one of the segments that will become transformative tourism growth drivers, along with live events, ecotourism, and wellness.
BEIA chief executive, Lisa Hopkins has reacted to the report and says its findings align with New Zealand’s Pīata Ma – the national strategic direction for New Zealand’s business events sector outlining sustainable growth opportunities. “New Zealand needs to be ready to capture this growth, to stand out from the international competition as an attractive business events destination,” she says.
“The report notes competition is intensifying, as these opportunities are recognised, making distinctive positioning and coordination increasingly important. Success requires investment, skills development and marketing capabilities.”
Looking ahead, Hopkins says the New Zealand government’s funding boost for the business events sector is already yielding strong returns, although it is clear that competition is intensifying. “We see the Tourism Growth Roadmap supporting this, with business events recognised as a critical component,” she says.
Tourism New Zealand’s latest Statement of Performance Expectations (SPE) 2025–2026 increased the value of conference bids supported through the Conference Assistance Programme from NZ$140m (US$85m) up to NZ$185m, following additional funding from the government’s Tourism Boost package.
“This funding is key to enabling New Zealand to effectively compete with destinations now offering even more substantial incentives and continuity is king. Given some of the geopolitical uncertainty, organisations are increasingly favouring destinations which are considered safe and protected from these shifts,” Hopkins notes.
The Insight Report also shows key enablers for growth are infrastructure, finance, technology and innovation, people and skills, regulation and public-private collaboration.
“Key infrastructure developments are powering this growth,” says Hopkins, who highlights New Zealand’s world-class events infrastructure with new conventions centres — Te Pae Christchurch and Tākina Wellington, and the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in Auckland opening early next year.
“The three new convention centres together will create 1,400 new jobs, over 300,000 room nights annually and direct spend in excess of NZ$150m,” she adds. “Additionally, we are witnessing significant infrastructural investment in airports, multi-purpose venues and hotel development, contributing to the overall experience a delegate can expect when they travel here.”
And Hopkins says the value of business events to New Zealand extends well beyond visitor numbers. “Business events are not just good for tourism growth, they open doors to global knowledge, trade, and investment. The WEF report highlights the value of face-to-face interaction. Business events bring together the very people who drive progress, scientists, innovators, policymakers, entrepreneurs. They create meaningful legacies for New Zealand,” she says.
And Star Alliance member and national flag carrier Air New Zealand has announced it is to double the size of its Auckland International Airport lounge. To be named the Koru Lounge, the facility will increase seating capacity by 70%. Construction will begin in 2026 and scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.
