TIANZ welcomes ACC experience rating

New Zealand tourism businesses will benefit from the decision to recognise individual workplace safety and injury management in their levies to the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), according to the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIANZ).

TIANZ Policy Manager Simon Wallace explains "depending on the size of the business, the introduction of discounts based on claims history could see some tourism operators, especially those in the adventure and outdoor sector, saving thousands of dollars a year.

"On behalf of members, TIA has been in discussions with ACC officials for several months on the issue of increasing levies and is delighted that experience ratings are being introduced more broadly.

"We have advocated strongly that tourism businesses which have put investment and effort into making their operations safer for staff and visitors, and for establishing good return-to-work programmes, should be rewarded by ACC. This announcement will have the added benefit of providing an incentive for all tourism businesses to improve their safety practices and return to work programmes."

Wallace added that the announcement was particularly welcome at a time when tourism operators are facing increasing costs, from the introduction of the Emissions Trading Scheme and the increase in GST.

TIA will continue working with ACC on the detail of the experience rating programme as it applies to tourism businesses prior to its introduction on 1st April 2011.

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

Image: Glacier tour at Mt Cook.