Five key takeaways from Discussing Tourism Auckland

ITC students Meleane Teu and Alapasita Tupou recently attended the Discussing Tourism Auckland event. Here they are pictured together, and with ITC Managing Director Kerry Priestley.

Last month, two students from the International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) won tickets to attend Discussing Tourism Auckland, an informative event hosted by Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA). Below, one of the lucky students – Meleane Teu – shares three key things she learned on the day.

It was a great opportunity to be selected to attend this event. We were lucky that our home tutor, Dr Amira, informed us about the event and asked us if we wanted to go. I applied straight away, and not long after I received an email confirming that I had won a ticket.

I learned a lot from the event. We are currently studying a number of the topics discussed in our Diploma in Tourism and Travel Management Level 5.

Here’s five things that stood out the most.

Tourism 2025 strategy

The chief executive of TIA, Chris Roberts, spoke about New Zealand’s tourism strategy for 2025. This is something we have analysed in class, so it was very interesting to hear firsthand from Mr Roberts about what has happened in the two years since the strategy launched. He spoke about how industry is growing and the challenges that New Zealand faces.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #53

This week’s airline, travel and tourism news includes a fallout over budget cuts, changes to regional flight routes, funding for new attractions, and more.

TOP STORIES

TIA ‘dismayed’ by funding cuts

The latest New Zealand budget has just been announced, and it includes a cut to the funding for the Department of Conservation (DOC). In the last budget, just over $378 million was set aside for DOC expenditures, while the 2016/17 plan has dropped to almost $345 million.

The TIA is ‘dismayed’ by this move, which sees funding drop by almost 10 per cent. Chief Executive Chris Roberts is concerned about how these cuts might impact the tourism sector.

“DOC has two core functions. The first is protecting our natural heritage – our indigenous species and the habitats and ecosystems that support them. The second is facilitating recreation and tourism, so that New Zealanders and our visitors are enriched by outdoor experiences,” he explained.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #48

This week, New Zealanders weigh in on the tourism industry and visitor numbers are up around the country.

TOP STORIES

What Kiwis think of their own tourism industry

More than 1,000 New Zealanders were recently asked about their opinions on the local tourism industry in two surveys conducted by Tourism New Zealand and the Tourism Industry Association (TIA). The research, titled ‘Mood of the Nation’, sought to understand Kiwis’ perceptions about the industry as visitor numbers soar to ever-increasing heights.

As it turns out, Kiwis are largely positive about the trend, but they have outlined a few concerns. These concerns stem from issues such as the potential for a negative environmental impact, road safety, and lack of accommodation.

Chris Roberts, chief executive for the TIA, explained the results by saying “every day, in every region of New Zealand, visitors are having a positive impact. And it’s great that Kiwis want to be welcoming hosts. Manaakitanga is what makes the New Zealand visitor experience unique”.

Manaakitanga is the Maori word for hospitality and kindness.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #42

In this week’s NZ airline, travel and tourism news, the TIA highlights the importance of protected marine areas to NZ tourism, Air New Zealand explores biofuel options and much more.

TOP STORIES

Opportunity for marine tourism to benefit NZ

The Tourism Industry Association (TIA) is highlighting the potential benefits ‘marine tourism’ could bring to New Zealand.

In a submission to the Ministry for the Environment, the TIA is calling for the government to consider tourism when making decisions about marine protected areas.

“Tourism operators such as whale watch operators, seal swimming operators, diving and snorkelling operators, kayak operators and recreational fishing charters have strong links and interests in marine protected areas,” says TIA chief executive Chris Roberts.

Mr Roberts added that new marine protected areas could “support the tourism industry’s Tourism 2025 goal of growing total annual tourism revenue to $41 billion over the next decade”.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #27

In this week’s airline, travel and tourism news, Air New Zealand announces new flights to Vietnam and New Zealand could be on the road to securing the title of ‘World’s Best Country’ for the fourth year in a row.

TOP STORIES

Air New Zealand to fly direct to Vietnam

In case you missed the exciting announcement late last week, Air New Zealand is set to start flying direct to Vietnam. The airline is launching a seasonal service between Auckland and Ho Chi Minh City from June to October next year. Flying three days a week, the flight time will be approximately 11 hours.

Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon says the new service “provides the ideal gateway” for Kiwis to experience Vietnam’s myriad attractions.

“Vietnam is an increasingly popular leisure destination with the number of Kiwis visiting the country up about 20 percent in the past year,” Mr Luxon said in a statement.

“It’s a holiday spot that has huge appeal and we’re confident that by offering a direct service even more Kiwis will be keen to explore it.”

Mr Luxon added that the direct flight will also make it easier for Vietnamese travellers to visit New Zealand.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #9

The good news continues in this week’s bulletin, with positive industry growth rates at domestic, national and international levels.

TOP STORIES

Tourism and conservation to benefit from DOC/TIA partnership

The Tourism Industry Association (TIA) and Department of Conservation (DOC) have entered into a new partnership to protect New Zealand’s natural landscape. The partnership is centred around six key principles which are all designed to help the tourism industry and DOC work closely together to benefit the environment.

“People travel here from all over the world to enjoy our spectacular landscapes and natural scenery,” said TIA chief executive Chris Roberts. “As the tourism industry pursues its Tourism 2025 goal of almost doubling total tourism revenue to $41 billion, we want to work closely with DOC to manage that growth to ensure our environment is protected and the visitor experience is enhanced.”

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