Accommodation providers and other operators also say that adapting more to the domestic market and giving more options to the meetings sector here has put them in good stead for the future.
On top of that delegates could hardly conceal the joy of getting together as an industry with more than one Australian guest being moved to tears describing how happy they were to be able to catch up with Kiwi business partners and friends.
Anne Gregor-Greene, general manager of Rotorua’s Peppers on the Point, says the hotel went from 95% of its guests being international pre-Covid to entirely domestic from April last year. The hotel has targeted, to a large extent, corporate retreats, meetings and incentives and Gregor-Greene says these have been instrumental (along with weddings) in keeping business ticking over.
Andrew Waddel, Sydney-based general manager of Tourism New Zealand, says there has been a definite spike in awareness and online activity and planning since the trans-Tasman bubble opened.
"We’re still dealing with a cautious consumer, it’s created lumpy demand but it will smooth out."
Waddel expects corporate travel to show positive trends in both directions as businesses gain confidence in the way leakages of the virus are handled both in New Zealand and Australian states.
Sarwan Singh, director of sales at Cordis Auckland, says recent weeks have given the hotel real reason for optimism, with occupancy steadily growing now.
He feels it is important to quickly re-establish face to face relationships with the Australian market – something Cordis is doing this month.
"We’re going to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. We want to make sure we are an early bird on this, so we are meeting tour operators, meeting planners, cruise ship operators and entertainment organisers."