About 250 national and international tourism operators are gathering in Tauranga this week for the 2011 New Zealand Inbound Tour Operators Council Conference.

Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager Glenn Ormsby says the region will benefit from hosting the conference.

Glenn Ormsby.

'The benefits of holding this conference in the coastal Bay of Plenty extend well beyond just the venue and accommodation providers hosting the conference,” says Glenn.

'Local transport companies, experience providers, hospitality and retail outlets, will all directly benefit from an increase in visitors to the region.”

Glenn says the conference starts with the Bay of Plenty showcase function at Mount Maunganui Surf Club.

'The official welcome function is at Mills Reef Winery on Tuesday and the gala dinner is at Classic Flyers on Wednesday,” says Glenn.

'We've also arranged for conference delegates to experience firsthand some of the region's tourism products.

'The idea is to highlight the fantastic attributes we have in the Bay of Plenty and encourage the attendees to include Tauranga in their itineraries.”

ITOC chief executive Lesley Immink is grateful for the Bay of Plenty tourism industry's support of the conference.

'The support we have received from Tourism Bay of Plenty, Mount Classic Tours and Bayline Coaches, which are providing transport services to and from the conference hotels, has been wonderful,” says Lesley.

'I'm confident the support from all operators involved is a great investment and gives the region a significant boost to its international tourism marketing.”