Mumbai Tourism gathering

President of the Indian Merchants' Chamber, Mr Chaini; Your Excellency, Rupert Holborow, New Zealand's High Commissioner to India; Trade Commissioner, Paul Vaughn; Honorary Consul-General, Pradip Madhavji; Tourism New Zealand Manager, Kiran Nambiar; Distinguished Guests, ladies and gentlemen; may I begin with the New Zealand greeting "Kia Ora" and, in the context of this afternoon's gathering, add the greetings: Namaste, Namashkar, Sat Sri Akal, Kam Cho, Salaam Walaikuim.

My wife Susan and I are delighted to be here in India, and in this wonderfully vibrant city of Mumbai.  It is also a pleasure to have this opportunity to meet so many of you this afternoon.

Whilst this is not my first visit to India, it is the first visit in my capacity as Governor General of New Zealand, and so it is very special for that fact.

While I was born in New Zealand, India was the home of my four grandparents; it is also a very special occasion for me personally. 

It has been a great honour to be able to meet, in Delhi, with the President, HE Srimati Pratibha Patil, and a number of other senior members of the Government.  It will be an honour of equal kind here in Mumbai to be received by the Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Jamir, members of the State Government and the business community.

In all my discussions I have conveyed the best wishes of the people and Government of New Zealand and highlighted the importance our country places on the India-New Zealand bilateral relationship and the desire, from our end, to both deepen and expand the relationship.

We are very conscious that India is emerging as a new global powerhouse. Some time ago, the French Scholar of Indian Studies, Sylvia Levi, once said:

"[India] has left indelible imprints on one fourth of the human race in the course of a long succession of centuries. She has the right to reclaim ... her place amongst the great nations summarising and symbolising the spirit of humanity."

That has now come to pass and so it is important that India's perspectives on global issues are heard and understood in New Zealand. Similarly, given India's growing global significance, it is important for New Zealand to have an opportunity to have its perspectives and viewpoints heard in India.

But we are also excited, as is the rest of the world, by what India has to offer the global economy. Reflecting this, we are keen to deepen our partnership with India.

One of those areas is tourism.  I am advised by Tourism New Zealand that India is one of New Zealand's fastest growing English speaking markets for international tourists and our 12th most important market, supplying 23,592 visitors in the year to July 2008. This represents an increase of 12.5 percent on the previous year.  Such is the level of interest that Tourism New Zealand has launched its 100% Pure New Zealand in India for the first time.

Tourism New Zealand's research shows that Indian travellers to New Zealand spend on average about two weeks in the country, reportedly rating it as the experience of a lifetime.  That is not surprising.  New Zealand is a highly regarded tourist destination, having won more than 50 international awards relating to the provision of tourism, in the last five years. 

For Indian tourists there are many aspects that make travelling to New Zealand easier.  First, we speak English.  Secondly, we drive on the left as you do. Thirdly, you will see many familiar faces as more than 100,000 people of Indian descent now call New Zealand home, and lastly you obtain the opportunity to fly over New Zealand's "west island", fondly referred to by some people as Australia.

As you know, our country also shares a love of sport such as hockey and cricket.  I understand the Indian Cricket team is scheduled to visit New Zealand in March next year and plans are underway to welcome them and ensure they experience what New Zealand has to offer during their time here.

Most visitors come to New Zealand for our landscapes.  From mountains and lakes to beaches, fiords and glaciers, New Zealand has some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. A huge range of tourism operators offer tours and experiences that allow visitors to experience these landscapes up close. 

Activities available in New Zealand include whale watching, jet boating, hot air ballooning and helicopter rides. The kinds of activities visitors to New Zealand from India participate in most include walking and trekking, shopping, visiting New Zealand's many scenic attractions, taking scenic boat trips and visiting our botanical gardens and heritage attractions.

The culture of New Zealand's indigenous people, the Maori, is also a unique attraction for visitors to New Zealand. There are many high quality tourism activities that give the opportunity to interact with Maori and learn about their stories, history and culture.

A prominent Indian commentator on the relationship between our two countries, Dr Sanjaya Baru, recently described India and New Zealand as the "book ends of Asia".  I trust that by encouraging people from India to visit New Zealand and for increasing numbers of New Zealanders to visit India that my visit may help bring the two bookends closer together.

And on that note, I will close in New Zealand's first language Maori, by offering greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours. No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.