New Zealand tourism must 'think different': Snedden

Recently appointed Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIANZ) Chief Executive Martin Snedden is encouraging industry players to "think different" and come up with new ways to grow the visitor economy and address long-standing challenges.

Announcing that registrations are now open for the 2012 TIANZ Summit, taking place in Wellington on Tuesday 2nd October 2012, Snedden stated "there's an old saying: 'if you keep doing the same old things the same old way, why should you expect anything other than the same old results?' This also applies to tourism.

"Our industry is changing quickly and the changes are permanent. We need to move past the mind-blocks that are holding us back and find ways to drive the industry to greater growth."

Organised by TIANZ and supported by Westpac, the one-day TIANZ Summit is aimed at leaders of New Zealand's $23 billion tourism industry.

Presentations will be firmly focused on the future with a strong line-up of speakers will challenge and provoke attendees.

From Australia, straight-talking Tourism & Transport Forum Chief Executive John Lee will share his views on how Australia's industry leaders are facing up to the future while high profile head of cruise ship operator Carnival Australia, Anne Sherry, will explain why the tourism industry has no choice but to embrace the opportunities offered by the cruise sector.

A series of break-out sessions throughout the day will draw on the expertise of both tourism and non-tourism participants to debate challenging issues facing the industry, including:

• Domestic tourism why are we ignoring our biggest customer?
• The environment or the economy?
• Taxing visitors to fund tourism
• Digital and social media from awareness to conversion
• Lobbying, an underrated art
• Changing markets + changing cultures = changing thinking.

Snedden added "if our individual businesses are to survive and prosper, we must be more forward thinking and work together much better to ensure we make the best use of resources.

"The 2012 TIA Summit will be a watershed opportunity to create a brighter future for our industry and grow its contribution to New Zealand's economy."

For more details on the 2012 TIANZ Summit or to register, go to www.tianz.org.nz/main/2012-tia-summit