NEW ZEALAND – the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has warned travellers against fraudulent emails offering free accommodation and airfare to the Canton Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, China from a company calling itself China Trade Fair (NZ).
The Canton Import and Export Fair has confirmed it does not have an agent working for them in New Zealand.
The New Zealand China Trade Association also recently released this advice to its members: “NZTE and NZCTA have both received enquiries from importers about organisations purporting to be the ‘official New Zealand Agent’ for the next two Canton Fairs in October 2011 and April 2012. The Consulate General in Guangzhou has checked with the fair organiser and has established that there is currently no official appointment as NZ agent.”
Travel Bite reported that one condition of accepting the false vouchers is to talk to certain Chinese suppliers at the fair.
Although Cathay Pacific is the airline named in the scheme, the company issued the following statement: “It has been brought to the attention of Cathay Pacific Airways that a company trading as China Trade Fair (NZ) has been issuing invitations to the Canton Trade Fair. This offer includes flights on Cathay Pacific Airways. Cathay Pacific Airways wishes to advise that theairline is in no way associated with the company trading as China Trade Fair (NZ) or its offer of airfare vouchers to the Canton Trade Fair.
A new exhibition centre is due to open in Central China, which will claim the title as the region’s largest venue this October.
Any news? Email exhibitionworld@mashmedia.net
