TRENZ manager, Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA), says it is "pleased" with the feedback from delegates about the expo in Queenstown.
TIA spokeswoman Ann-Marie Johnson yesterday said the association hoped to make an announcement on the 2012 venue in the next few weeks.
TIA chief executive Tim Cossar said the "spectacular location created a real buzz about Trenz 2011 from the outset.
We held a number of networking and social functions at locations around Queenstown to showcase the region to its best advantage.
"Most buyers also went off-site one afternoon to experience some of the activities Southern Lakes has to offer visitors first-hand. That added another dimension to this year's Trenz."
Destination Queenstown chief executive Tony Everitt said yesterday feedback from delegates had been "beyond expectations".
"The key thing for us is we're on the Trenz circuit and we've proved we can do it. Hopefully we'll be considered again ... Queenstown operators absolutely excelled themselves, [they] really turned it on for the buyers."
Greater connectivity via air services, an overseas cruise-ship terminal and a national convention centre in Auckland, to cater for large conference and incentive groups, were being worked on by the Government, Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key told Trenz media.
A total of 29,000 Australians are expected in New Zealand for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, the world's third largest sporting event. Australia was forecast to be the dominant nationality among the 85,000 international visitors for the 48-match tournament, from September 9. British and Irish visitors were expected to number 19,500, French 8800, Americans and Canadians 6900, South Africans 5200 and others 15,600.
Free and independent travellers (FITs) were expected to account for 55,000 visitors. About 30,000 would arrive through the official travel and hospitality programme. A so-far unknown total number of visitors would include the 20 teams, their hospitality crews, sponsors, officials, VIPs and media, with 80 tonnes of equipment.
Queenstown hosts England, Ireland, Georgia and Romania teams for training for a total of 22 nights later this year.
A dozen senior executives from the Japanese Association of Travel Agents met Mr Key and tourism operators, in Queenstown, on Wednesday.
The visit was the result of a joint initiative between Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand to promote outbound travel from Japan to New Zealand, after both countries experienced natural disasters this year.
Air New Zealand announced this week it would increase its capacity, boosting the Auckland-Tokyo route by 16%. Auckland-Osaka capacity will rise 7.7%.
"A stadium of four million hosts" is how organisers describe the REAL New Zealand Festival, to be held in September and October.
Festival director Briony Ellis, of Wellington, told Trenz media the largest festival in New Zealand would offer "unforgettable experiences".
Olympic Gold medallist Sarah Ulmer has become a domestic and international ambassador for the New Zealand Cycle Trail, Mr Key announced during Trenz.
The Queenstown Trail and the Around the Mountains Trail are among the trails expected to be completed by 2013.
Luxury agents and travel media were lavished with world-class experiences by a new alliance of providers called Queenstown Prestige, on Monday night.
Launch guests enjoyed chauffeured service on a panoramic tour, then dinner and live jazz, hosted by actor Sam Neill.
