Tourism New Zealand’s Kiwi Link India program has made a triumphant return after a five-year hiatus, reinvigorating ties with Mumbai’s travel industry and showcasing the best of what the country has to offer. The program, which connects Indian travel agents and tour operators with New Zealand tourism operators, aims to boost tourism from India to New Zealand and foster partnerships between the two countries.
The revival of Kiwi Link India comes at a time when travel between the two countries is on the rise, with more Indian tourists choosing New Zealand as their preferred destination. In fact, in 2019, over 68,000 Indian tourists visited New Zealand, a 7.2% increase from the previous year. With this renewed interest in New Zealand as a travel destination, the Kiwi Link India program is poised to play a key role in promoting tourism and strengthening ties between the two countries.
The recent Kiwi Link India event in Mumbai was a resounding success, attracting over 80 Indian travel agents and tour operators who had the opportunity to meet with 17 New Zealand tourism operators. The event featured one-on-one meetings, networking sessions, and presentations showcasing New Zealand’s diverse range of attractions, from stunning landscapes and adventure activities to unique cultural experiences and luxury accommodations.
One of the highlights of the event was a panel discussion on the latest travel trends and opportunities for collaboration between India and New Zealand. The panelists emphasized the importance of building strong partnerships and creating unique, tailor-made experiences for Indian tourists, in order to attract more visitors to New Zealand.
The Kiwi Link India program is a valuable platform for Indian travel agents and tour operators to learn more about New Zealand as a travel destination and to establish partnerships with local tourism operators. By fostering these connections, the program helps to promote New Zealand as a must-visit destination for Indian travelers and to showcase the country’s unique offerings to a wider audience.
As the tourism industry continues to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, programs like Kiwi Link India are more important than ever in helping to rebuild and strengthen ties between countries and promote sustainable tourism practices. With the successful revival of the Kiwi Link India program, Tourism New Zealand is well-positioned to attract more Indian tourists to the country and to showcase the best of what New Zealand has to offer to the world.
