At Chinese tourism award, Marlborough in NZ voted one of the top 10 emerging destinations

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Recently, Marlborough, the wine growing region in New Zealand has been named one of the top 10 emerging destinations for Chinese tourists.

The “It’s My World Travel Awards” has ranked Marlborough alongside the likes of Sicily, Jerusalem and the Loire Valley.

By a panel of professional judges, comprising Chinese tourism experts and media representatives have chosen the tourist hot spots.

Finalists were selected on the basis of voting by 480,000 users of a Chinese tourism website.

New Zealand placed in the top 10 for destinations. Marlborough, is the only New Zealand region to feature in the lists, was pegged as a rising destination.

Jacqui Lloyd, Destination Marlborough general manager explained that the Chinese market was not just about wine reputation of Marlborough.

She said a “team effort” had helped showcase the best of Marlborough to the Chinese market, which included the beauty of the Marlborough Sounds and top-quality seafood.”

“Tourism New Zealand, Air New Zealand and Christchurch Airport have been really key in helping us get into the China market,” Lloyd said.

“But there are also so many local bodies that have helped us too.”

Lloyd thought a lot of the appeal was due to the fact that Marlborough was “not on what you would call the golden route of travel”.

“They can go home and show people a place that no-one else has been to.”

Joint work between Tourism NZ and Destination Marlborough had assisted to highlight the best bits of the region.

China was the second-largest international tourist market in New Zealand, behind Australia.

Nevertheless, the China market was only number eight in Marlborough tourism.

« Back to Page