April 25, 2018 TnH Global 0

New Zealand launches a new visa process for Indian visitors

Tourism New Zealand and Immigration New Zealand have launched an extension of the Tourism Industry Partnership (TIP) Programme to facilitate faster processing of visitor visa applications for Indian leisure travellers.

Riding on the success of the previous partnership between Immigration New Zealand (INZ), Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) and key travel agents, the Tourism Industry Partnership (TIP) Programme has now been extended to leisure agents.

The previous programme was launched in November 2014 and focussed on the business and incentive travel sector. It resulted in growth of incentive group trips worth NZ $ 22m in 4 years (FY14-FY17) with a 99 per cent approval rate.

With this new arrangement announced today, Indian leisure travellers will benefit from a more streamlined visa service, with a faster processing time of three days, compared to the previous online application processing time of 15 days.

Steven Dixon, Regional Manager, South & South East Asia, Tourism New Zealand at the Tourism Industry Partnership Programme – April 24, 2018Mr. Steven Dixon, Regional Manager, South and South-East Asia, Tourism New Zealand was at today’s signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between INZ, TNZ and the travel agents at a ceremony in Mumbai.

He said, “This new visa process will make it even easier for Indian travellers to experience New Zealand. India is an important market for Tourism New Zealand and it is pleasing to see the increase in the number of Indians choosing New Zealand as their favoured destination. This agreement will ensure that New Zealand welcomes even more high calibre visitors.”

Commenting on the partnership, Marcelle Foley, Head of Operations Immigration New Zealand says: “We have enjoyed the opportunity to partner with Tourism New Zealand and key players in the Indian travel trade to make it even easier for Indian business event travellers to visit New Zealand. This programme has been a real success and we are pleased to be extending it to the travel agents here today to include their high quality leisure, customers.”

Four key travel agents – Thomas Cook (India) Pvt. Ltd, SOTC Travel Limited, Cox & Kings Ltd. and Kulin Kumar Holidays are the preferred suppliers for the TIP Programme and will be responsible for bringing high value visitors to New Zealand.