Events to discuss the role of tourism in regional New Zealand

Tourism businesses around New Zealand are being invited to discuss the big challenges and opportunities facing them and their region at a series of events organised by Tourism Industry Aotearoa.

Starting in Queenstown on 12th July, TIA will take the one-day Discussing Tourism events to six locations around the country - Queenstown, Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington, Rotorua and Auckland.

Introducing the events TIA Chief Executive Chris Roberts explains “building on the success of last year’s TIA regional events, the programme will focus on business learning and connecting local businesses with industry leaders. This year we have renamed the one-day events Discussing Tourism to highlight that this is an interactive programme.”

The events will also see TIA’s Advocacy Team tell attendees how they can become an effective advocate for tourism in their region.

Roberts explained “with the local government election just months away, now is the time for tourism operators to lobby their councils to ensure they understand the importance of tourism to their community and to introduce tourism-friendly policies.”

Image: Chris Roberts

The programme also includes presentations from the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment and Qrious consultancy about new tourism insight and marketing tools to help with business decision-making.

Other speakers will provide guidance on dealing with the pressures of visitor growth and how to manage a rapidly growing business.

Here Roberts explains “one of those pressures is recruiting staff. With many tourism operators relying on migrants to help fill vacancies, Immigration New Zealand will provide an update on new initiatives to help fast-track the work visa process.”

Roberts says attendees will also have an opportunity to discuss the big challenges of growth from a local perspective, plus plenty of time for networking, concluding “Discussing Tourism will be a lively and thought-provoking day with lots of practical tools and tips attendees can take away and implement in their own business.

“We’ve had great support from the host regional tourism organisations, and from Discussing Tourism Partner Westpac.”

Click here to find out more on the Discussing Tourism website.

Discussing Tourism is also supported by the Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust.

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