TIANZ: 'political and public attention top priority for tourism'

Keeping tourism at the centre of political and public attention so that it can build on recent gains and deliver increased wealth to New Zealand should be the "number one" priority for the next New Zealand Government, according to the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIANZ).

Launching its 'Tourism Future Statement 2011-2014 The Visitor Economy: Creating Wealth' in Auckland last evening TIANZ outlined tourism's top five priorities for the incoming New Zealand Government after the country's 26th November General Election.

TIANZ Deputy Chairman Oscar Nathan explained "worth $22.4 billion annually, tourism employs almost one in ten New Zealanders and is the country's largest export industry, earning more foreign exchange than any other sector."

Nathan says the industry contributes $61 million into the economy daily, up from $56.6 million three years ago.* (*Statistics New Zealand Tourism Satellite Account, YE March 2010 [$61 million] and YE March 2007 [$56.6 million]).

"This growth has been achieved despite the industry facing three of the most turbulent years on record, with challenges including the Global Finance Crisis, which continues to bite in some key traditional visitor markets, natural disasters, in particular the Christchurch earthquake which impacted on the whole tourism industry, and the high New Zealand dollar."

Nathan believes that tourism is a resilient and forward-looking industry which is working hard to increase its market share of international travellers, in particular high value visitors. However, central government support is vital if the industry is to fulfil its potential and deliver even greater wealth and jobs.

"A thriving tourism industry will be fundamental to the new government achieving its economic growth agenda. We currently welcome 2.5 million international visitors annually. If we can lift that figure by just 2% in the coming year it will deliver an additional $120 million in annual visitor spending, equating to $360 million over three years."

TIANZ's five tourism industry priorities for the incoming government for the next three years are:

• Delivering Value
Keeping the industry at the centre of political and public attention will be important in building on the gains achieved in the past three years and delivering value to the New Zealand economy.

• Improving Infrastructure
While New Zealand's natural environment provides the setting for a range of visitor experiences, quality infrastructure is needed to support the range of activities that visitors enjoy.

• Making Travel Easier
Making travel easier is integral to a great holiday. Creating seamless border experiences and removing barriers for people travelling to New Zealand will be critical to growing international visitor arrivals.

• Providing Relevant Information
Dynamic changes within the industry and economy mean the delivery of relevant and timely information is critical for business planning.

• Stimulating Domestic Tourism

It is time to make a holiday at home aspirational and help New Zealanders see their country through an international lens.

Nathan says the priorities build on those the industry set for the incoming government in the 2008 Tourism Industry Election Manifesto, adding "a collective effort by the industry has seen us achieve good progress on most of those priorities, in particular securing the Prime Minister as the Minister of Tourism, which has helped gain recognition for tourism as bedrock of the New Zealand economy."

The Tourism Future Statement 2011-14 includes a scorecard charting the current government's progress against the industry's 2008 priorities. Its five priorities and supporting action points being based on input from hundreds of tourism operators who attended TIANZ's nationwide road show series earlier this year, and feedback from industry leaders.

TIANZ will be campaigning to ensure the priorities play a major part in h

For more information go to www.tianz.org.nz/nztourismfuture 

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