United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
NZ tourism industry welcomes new minister
Tourism Industry Association Chief Executive Fiona Luhrs has welcomed Hon Damien O’Connor as the new Minister of Tourism.
“I look forward to working with Mr O’Connor to further the interests of the tourism industry and its position as New Zealand’s top export sector,” Ms Luhrs said.
Mr O’Connor’s appointment came as the industry was facing a number of significant issues including workforce and skill shortages, the need for increased funding for Tourism New Zealand, issues surrounding domestic tourism, and balancing visitor growth with sustainable use of conservation lands.
Ms Luhrs planned to meet Mr O’Connor at the earliest possible date to discuss these and other tourism industry issues.
She also welcomed the return of Hon Dover Samuels as Associate Minister of Tourism. Mr Samuels is well known and appreciated in the industry for his contribution to the development of the Maori tourism sector.
Ms Luhrs also paid tribute to the outgoing Minister of Tourism, Hon Mark Burton, saying the industry had enjoyed a very positive and constructive relationship with him during the last six years.
“I would like to thank Mark for all his efforts on behalf of the tourism industry and wish him well with his new Cabinet responsibilities,” she said.
TIA’s key recommendations to the incoming government can be read at: www.tianz.org.nz
Key statistics about tourism:
– Tourism is the world’s fastest growing industry
– New Zealand tourism arrivals have doubled in size since 1994
– Forecast annual growth is 6% on average for at least the next five years
– Tourism is New Zealand’s single largest export sector and contributed $7.4 billion dollars to the economy in the year ended March 2004. That is 18.5% of exports
– Tourism directly and indirectly employs 10 percent of the work force. That is one in 10 jobs in New Zealand.
– Tourism represents 9.6% of gross domestic product and generates nearly $500 million in GST returns from international visitors each year. Tourism is the only export sector whose international clients pay GST.
Related News Stories:
Graham Muldoon
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled