Southern tourism operators at the three-day Tourism Rendezvous New Zealand (Trenz) conference in Rotorua are reporting strong interest from overseas buyers of New Zealand tourism products, who are increasingly looking for new and exciting destinations.
The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre at the Hermitage had received many inquiries from buyers about the late mountaineer, particularly from India, general manager Denis Callesen said.
The centre had been promoted at the conference for the first time and Mr Callesen said he was delighted with the response.
In the event of poor weather, tourists now had a good "all-weather" venue to visit and stay at in the area, he said.
Monarch Wildlife Cruises and Tours owner John Milburn, of Dunedin, said his appointment book was nearly full.
"People seem really interested in what we have to offer," he said.
Sam Inder, of the Royal Albatross Centre on Otago Peninsula, said the show had gone better than expected, and buyers appeared to be looking for different markets, like Dunedin, to satisfy their clients.
"I would have to say this has been the most positive Trenz [conference] I have attended. It is looking very good for us."
Venture Southland group manager, tourism and marketing, Kathryn MacDonnell, said areas such as the Catlins and Stewart Island were becoming increas-ingly popular as visitors sought a unique Southern experience.
"I think buyers are looking for something fresh and new and Southland and Otago certainly offer some fantastic destin-ations," Ms MacDonnell said.
Kaka Cottages manager Abby Aronsen, of Stewart Island, said increasing publicity about the island, particularly its wildlife, had led to a surge of interest.
"Buyers seem to be looking for something unique, and you don't get more unique than Stewart Island."
Echoing recent trends in visitor numbers, stall holders were also reporting a large increase in the number of buyers from China and India.
"We always get a lot of interest from our core market of the United Kingdom and Australia, but we have noticed a huge increase in Indian buyers, Totally Tourism sales executive Brad Patterson, of Queenstown, said.
"It is looking very good for the industry."
Tourism Waitaki general manager Glenn Ormsby said buyers had wanted "something other than Christchurch and Queenstown as an option", he said.
"We just had a buyer from Switzerland who was absolutely fascinated by our mix of eco-tourism and heritage. We may be a small area but we are certainly being noticed."
