Turn your summer adventures into an incredible career

Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s best tourist attractions. Can you imagine making a career out of helping others visit places like this?

Merry Christmas and happy New Year to everyone! We hope you’re out enjoying the beautiful New Zealand summer and everything that has to offer, from fish’n’chips on the beach, to Great Walks, to awesome sightseeing and tourist attractions.

It’s the best time of year to get out and explore our backyard, and while you’re at it, why not consider turning this sense of fun and exploration into a lifelong career that’s as rewarding as it is enjoyable? (more…)

New Zealand set to host major events – and needs workers

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is just one of many major events coming to New Zealand over the next few years, and the industry will need staff to make it happen.

New Zealand has long been a fantastic destination for tourism, and more recently, it has become increasingly popular as a destination for major events.

Of course, we’ve just enjoyed hosting the America’s Cup, but there’s plenty more coming up. From sporting events to performer tours, artistic and cultural celebrations to foodie festivals, the annual calendar is filling up with exciting major events.

Here are a few of the most anticipated events on the horizon, and what that means for our tourism industry. (more…)

Could you be New Zealand’s next Top Tourism Star?

Are you ready to be a tourism star?

With an Australian travel bubble opening up and vaccines rolling out across the country and the world, there’s a definite, inescapable sense of excitement and positivity throughout the tourism sector.

Everyone at ITC, from our tutors to our marketing team to our students, can all feel the momentum of the industry as it really begins to pick itself up and look forward to a bright future, and we can’t help but want to share that with the world.

That’s why we’re in search of New Zealand’s Top Tourism Star – could it be you? (more…)

Fact vs fiction: Which tourism news stories are actually true?

New Zealand’s tourism industry is a topic of hot debate. But which stories are actually true?

As New Zealand passes its one year anniversary of closing the borders and locking down, the news has been spending a lot of time reporting on, and speculating about, the tourism industry.

Of course, with the borders closed and no international tourists coming in, tourism operators have not enjoyed the same level of business as they usually would. But that’s not to say tourism is dead, or that it will never return, or that those working in the industry are completely out of luck, or even that those who want to get into the industry should think otherwise.

There’s simply a lot of half-truths and overly negative press coverage at the moment, and we’d like to offer a more positive point of view and set the record straight! (more…)

The tourism industry needs you!

The tourism industry is crying out for skilled and qualified staff. Right now is the perfect time to enrol at ITC and start an exciting career in the industry.

This is a message for anyone who is considering studying for a career in travel, tourism, or aviation in 2021.

We need you!

Or more specifically, the industry needs you! (more…)

ITC Industry News Bulletin #56

It’s been a bumper week for New Zealand tourism news. Tourism figures continue to rise, Britons love our country, Dunedin prepares for a chocolate festival, and much more.

TOP STORIES

New Zealand’s tourism boom continues

New Zealand’s growing tourism industry has been making headlines for months, and May managed to top the charts again – records for both short-term visits and migration have once more been broken.

According to Statistics New Zealand, the overall annual migration to New Zealand rose to 68,400 in May – up from 57,800 a year earlier. The number of short-term visitor arrivals from overseas shot up to 3.29 million, which is 11 per cent more than the same time last year.

Further to this, the Treasury is expecting migration levels will reach their peak in June – at 70,700 – before returning to normal levels again in another three years.

Historically, Australia has been the number one country of origin for visitors to New Zealand, but recent figures have shown that 22,200 people came from China through May, compared to 20,200 Australians. This is only the second time China has managed to supersede Australia’s figures.

(more…)

ITC Industry News Bulletin #31

In this week’s airline, travel and tourism news, luxury tourism spend is on the rise and Air New Zealand launches a new initiative to benefit school children.

TOP STORIES

NZ Luxury Lodge data confirms strong sector growth

According to new data from members of Luxury Lodges of New Zealand, spending on luxury accommodation increased between April and September of this year.

Director of Trade, PR and Major Events at Tourism New Zealand, Rene de Monchy, said it was great to see the luxury sector was performing well.

“Seeing such strong growth in the industry over winter is absolutely fantastic and proof that the sector is progressing as strongly as we thought,” Mr de Monchy said.

He added that targeting luxury travellers has been a key focus for Tourism New Zealand this year.

“The results follow significant work from our premium sector team… Since 1 July the premium team have attended six major international trade events, hosted six famils and four media files in New Zealand, and we have a full calendar of activity planned for the coming six months.”

(more…)

ITC Industry News Bulletin #23

In this week’s industry news, the border levy fees are set, spring attracts high numbers of international visitors and Fullers is investing in two new ferries, plus much more.

TOP STORIES

Level of a new international ‘travel tax’ set

Despite opposition from several industry leaders, including the Tourism Industry Association (TIA), the government is pushing ahead with the ‘travel tax’. New border fees will be charged from 1 January 2016, it was announced last week.

The fee is $21.57 including GST for air travellers (return trip) and $26.22 for those arriving by cruise ship, boat or private plane.

Minister for Primary Industries, Nathan Guy, told Radio New Zealand that the fees are in response to the increased number of arriving and departing travellers.

“All travellers are a risk as they could inadvertently carry ‘hitchhiker’ pests or prohibited items with them. The levy will allow border activities to respond to future demand and create a more sustainable platform for border risk management services,” Mr Guy said.

The TIA expressed disappointment with the decision in a press release published late last week.

(more…)