Plan to strengthen visitor sector representation

Two leading visitor industry organisations have announced a proposal to integrate into a single strong, high profile, well resourced association.
The Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIANZ) and the New Zealand Hotel Council (NZHC) aim to have a new integrated Association in place by 1st April 2012.
TIANZ Chairman Norm Thompson says the move has come about as a result of recent discussions. The Boards of both TIANZ and NZHC have separately discussed and unanimously agreed to endorse the process, and are now consulting their members.
NZHC Independent Chair Jennie Langley says the aim is to create unified, highly focused leadership for the visitor industry, maximising its voice and influence over central and local government, and other decision makers.
Langley stated "the need to ensure there is a well-connected industry association to deal with decision makers and to shape the success of the industry has never been greater."
The proposal would see current members of NZHC integrated into TIANZ, with TIANZ providing a new dedicated hotel sector resource. Both TIANZ and NZHC members will retain all the benefits and services they currently receive. Further enhancements to these will be developed in coming months.
Langley says the hotel sector is a significant contributor to tourism in New Zealand, with NZHC representing the interests of over 130 members throughout New Zealand, including international chain, large independent and privately owned hotels. NZHC members employ 11,000 staff nationally, with annual revenues of more than $866 million.
Thompson adds "we are confident the integration will be of significant benefit to all members as well as the wider visitor industry. The hotel sector is already represented on the TIANZ Board and as part of the change to an integrated organisation, the TIANZ Board will consider a name change for the new Association. It will be seeking members' support before any final decision is made."
Discussions with a range of other tourism industry organisations are also underway, with a view to finding further opportunities to integrate, the two chairs say.