Key Takeaways
- The Tourism Minister, Louise Upston, aims to double the value of tourism exports by 2034 and restore international visitor arrivals to at least 2019 levels.
- The government plans to grow the number of Kiwis working in tourism and hospitality and provide ongoing training opportunities to attract more New Zealanders into the industry.
- The targets set by the minister are ambitious, but she is confident that the industry can achieve them with the right investments and strategies in place.
- The government has invested in various initiatives, including a $70 million major events and tourism package and more than $26m for Tourism New Zealand to attract more visitors.
- The minister is committed to reviewing and updating the Tourism Growth Roadmap to ensure that every ounce of value is squeezed from investments in the industry.
Introduction to the Tourism Industry’s Future
The Tourism Minister, Louise Upston, has signalled significant change on the horizon for the tourism industry in New Zealand. With ambitious targets set, including doubling the value of tourism exports by 2034 and restoring international visitor arrivals to at least 2019 levels, the industry is poised for growth and development. The minister has unveiled a plan to achieve these targets, which includes growing the number of Kiwis working in tourism and hospitality and providing ongoing training opportunities to attract more New Zealanders into the industry. The plan also involves reviewing and updating the Tourism Growth Roadmap to ensure that every ounce of value is squeezed from investments in the industry.
Targets and Investments
The targets set by the minister are ambitious, but she is confident that the industry can achieve them with the right investments and strategies in place. The government has invested in various initiatives, including a $70 million major events and tourism package and more than $26m for Tourism New Zealand to attract more visitors. These investments are expected to have a significant impact on the industry, and the minister is confident that they will help to achieve the targets set. The minister has also announced funding for a new industry-led qualification, Te Haeata, to boost the business events workforce, which is expected to provide ongoing training opportunities for New Zealanders in the industry.
Challenges and Concerns
Despite the ambitious targets and investments, there are concerns about the impact of increasing tourism on areas like Queenstown, where visitor numbers have already surpassed 2019 levels. The minister is aware of these concerns and is committed to addressing them through the Tourism Growth Roadmap. The roadmap includes initiatives to manage the impact of tourism on local communities and to ensure that the industry is sustainable and responsible. The minister is also committed to working with local communities to address their concerns and to ensure that the benefits of tourism are shared equitably.
Workforce Development
Attracting more New Zealanders into hospitality and tourism is a priority for the minister, and she is committed to making sure that they can see a career pathway and have ongoing training opportunities. A solid workforce is critical to the success of tourism growth, and the minister is working to ensure that the industry has the skilled and trained workers it needs to achieve its targets. The new industry-led qualification, Te Haeata, is expected to provide a boost to the business events workforce, and the minister is confident that it will help to attract more New Zealanders into the industry.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The minister is confident that the industry can achieve its targets with the right investments and strategies in place. She is committed to reviewing and updating the Tourism Growth Roadmap to ensure that every ounce of value is squeezed from investments in the industry. The minister is also committed to working with local communities to address their concerns and to ensure that the benefits of tourism are shared equitably. With the right approach and investments, the tourism industry in New Zealand is poised for growth and development, and the minister is confident that it will achieve its targets and become a sustainable and responsible industry. The next steps for the minister include reviewing advice and proposals from officials about the next steps in the roadmap in January, and taking a proposal to Cabinet towards the end of quarter one or the beginning of quarter two.