Telling the government where we want action
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As an accommodation provider, you can play your part in ensuring our $22.4 billion visitor economy is high on the new government's radar,
post the November general election. Some great tips to help you lobby your local MPs and candidates are included on the Tourism Future Statement 2011-14 The Visitor Economy: Creating Wealth website www.tianz.org.nz/nztourismfuture
You can also become a voice for tourism by posting a short video on YouTube saying why tourism is so important to your community and New Zealand. Send us the link and we'll post it on the Tourism Future Statement 2011-14 website.
Five priorities for action
The five priorities set out in Tourism Future Statement 2011-14, launched by TIA in late August to industry leaders and politicians, including Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key and Labour leader Phil Goff, highlight what actions the tourism industry wants the new government to take in the next parliamentary term.
Delivering value
Keeping the tourism industry at the centre of political and public attention over the next three years will be important in building on the gains achieved in the past three years and delivering value to the New Zealand economy.
Amongst areas where we want the government to take action is increasing or at least maintaining baseline funding for Tourism New Zealand to support the country's ongoing international marketing efforts.
Also, recognising that people are the industry's most valuable asset, tourism needs to be embedded in the school curriculum and seen as a long-term career option. Time- consuming and onerous compliance for small businesses must also be reduced so operators are freed up to deliver high-quality visitor experiences.
Making travel easier
Making it easier for international visitors to get to New Zealand is another priority. This is all about creating a seamless border experience and removing barriers for people travelling here. It includes things like making visa processing more efficient and easier, ensuring we have the right air links, extending the SmartGate initiative in Australia and identifying other markets where it can be replicated.
The government also has a role to play in limiting the impact of foreign-government-imposed departure taxes that target travellers to long-haul destinations like New Zealand.
Stimulating domestic tourism
The third priority is stimulating domestic tourism. It's time to make a holiday at home aspirational and help New Zealanders see their country through an international lens. Areas where we'd like to see government action include establishing a national events strategy underpinned by regional initiatives to get more Kiwis travelling the country.
Improving Infrastructure
While New Zealand's natural environment provides the setting for a range of visitor experiences, quality infrastructure is needed to support the many activities that visitors enjoy. This includes encouraging the development of regional convention centres to support the national facility in Auckland and ensuring quick decisions are made on the future of visitor infrastructure in Christchurch – as a vital tourism gateway and destination, the rebuilding of Christchurch must be a priority for any government.
Relevant information
Fifthly, we want relevant information. Operating in such a fast-changing world means the delivery of relevant and timely information is critical for business planning.
You can read more about the Tourism Future Statement including the communication tool kit to help you lobby your local MP and candidates in the November 26 election on www.tianz.org.nz/nztourismfuture
