Dunedin's Unesco City of Literature status could be about to deliver its first big coup, after the city was named as a finalist to secure an international writers' summit.
The International Women in Travel Summit in 2016 was expected to bring together 300 travel writers, bloggers and ''influencers'' from around the world.
Dunedin has been named as one of three finalists to host the event, alongside two United States centres _ Branson, Missouri, and Irvine, California.
Delegates gathering in Boston in March for this year's conference would vote to decide the winner.
Enterprise Dunedin business events tourism adviser Bree Jones said Dunedin's recently awarded City of Literature status meant it had been allowed to submit a proposal, despite the deadline having already passed.
Success would deliver ''a PR opportunity that money can't buy'', she said.
''Winning this conference would be a huge opportunity for Dunedin, not just for the economic benefits but to showcase the city and its offerings to 300 prolific travel writers, influencers and bloggers.''
Summit creator Beth Santos, the chief executive of the Go Girl Travel Network, said she was ''excited'' to see Dunedin included as a finalist.
Organisers were looking for a summit destination that offered ''interesting and unique activities and charm, and a city with a pure and genuine enthusiasm and support for women travellers''.
''With [Dunedin] being recently designated a Unesco City of Literature, it seems beautifully fitting to bring an international community of women travel writers together in a cultural landmark like this,'' she said.
Lobbying aimed at securing the host rights has already begun, through social media, and some delegates were already pushing for Dunedin to be the next host city.
Dunedin's bid was supported by Tourism New Zealand, which offered a financial contribution through its conference assistance programme.
