YoungTEC Awarded Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust Grant

Young Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (YoungTEC) is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a grant from the Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust (TINZT) for the year 2023.  This grant is a testament to YoungTEC’s commitment to promoting professional development and leadership within the tourism industry.

Lynda Keene, Chief Executive of the Tourism Export Council of New Zealand, expressed her enthusiasm for the grant, stating “Receiving this grant is a real show of faith in the work that YoungTEC is achieving with developing future leaders of the industry and we’re grateful to the Trust for their support. Absolutely delighted.”

The grant from TINZT will enable YoungTEC to bolster its efforts in two significant ways:

  1. IceHouse Leadership Day Expansion

YoungTEC plans to expand its successful Icehouse Leadership Day initiative by hosting the first-ever event in the South Island, in addition to the current North Island Icehouse Leadership Day. This expansion will provide easier access to vital professional development opportunities for YoungTEC members based in the South Island.

  1. 2023 YoungTEC Tourism Summit

The grant will also support the delivery of the highly anticipated 2023 YoungTEC Tourism Summit, scheduled to take place in Auckland in early December. The Summit will bring together industry leaders for a panel session, motivational speaker, a workshop and famil creating a dynamic and educational program for young professionals in the tourism sector. The summit will delve into stepping up into a leadership role, obstacles facing young leaders and tangible takeaways to overcome these.

Rebecca Ingram, Chief Executive of Tourism Industry Aotearoa, which supports the TINZT with its grant programme, said it was exciting to see the grant being used in such positive ways to foster tourism education.

“The trust is dedicated to education, either for people in the industry, or to promote and further people’s general understanding about the tourism industry,” she said.

“We are delighted that YoungTEC will use this grant to encourage young tourism entrepreneurs to test their ideas, to give young tourism leaders a chance to discuss their issues and be inspired by those who have walked that path ahead of them.”

Charlotte Brady, Chair of YoungTEC, expressed her gratitude, saying, “It’s an honour to receive this grant, which will enable us to further the growth of young talent in the tourism industry.”

The Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust was established in 2007 for charitable purposes. The TINZT grant (by way of application) is open to tourism-related projects and initiatives large and small that meet one of more of our aims:

  • Increase the knowledge of people working in New Zealand’s tourism industry
  • Educate New Zealanders about our tourism industry
  • Encourage and promote a tourism industry based on the sustainable use and preservation of New Zealand’s natural assets

The TINZT grants programme is open to associations, companies and individuals for projects or ideas that will further the Trust’s aims and criteria.

ENDS

About YoungTEC

YoungTEC is a sub association of the Tourism Export Council NZ. Membership is made up of young tourism professionals under the age of 40 years. YoungTEC membership offers regular networking events with other young professionals in the tourism industry, educational workshops, and a professional development programme as well as other key events and initiatives to provide support and upskilling opportunities for YoungTEC members.

For more information please contact:

Lynda Keene

CEO Tourism Export Council of NZ

027 6644 836

Download the release here.

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TECNZ Conference 2024 dates announced

The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ)’s next annual conference will be held on 6,7 and 8 August 2024 in Invercargill.

The conference is hosted in a New Zealand region each year and offers 300 delegates the chance to hear the latest industry insights from compelling speakers and networking opportunities.

Chief Executive of The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ) Lynda Keene said “We are delighted to be taking 300 delegates from around New Zealand to the Great South region for our Annual Conference 6-9 August 2024. We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Great South team to promote the region to New Zealand’s major international buyers along with its amazing visitor landscapes, attractions, and tourism and hospitality offering.”

The conference delegate profile features business leaders, owners, managers and international sales and marketing staff who work hard offshore to promote New Zealand its visitor proposition.

Delegates make up Inbound Tour Operators (who bring in 60% of international visitors to NZ), accommodation providers, activity and attraction operators, transport operators, businesses that provide tourism services to the industry and regional tourism organisations.

Mark Frood, GM Tourism and Events Great South says, “Following the announcement that Invercargill will be hosting the 2024 TECNZ Conference, delegates were excited about going to the region next year, many said they hadn’t been to Invercargill in over 30 years. Our people in Murihiku Southland cannot wait to warmly welcome the delegates to our place.”

This will be the first time that the TECNZ’s annual conference has been held in Invercargill.

2023 TECNZ and YoungTEC Award winners announced

Three of New Zealand’s top tourism businesses, one industry leader and two promising YoungTEC individuals have been recognised as the best in the business comprising of categories: ITO Operator of the Year, Allied Operator of the Year, Small Business Operator of the Year, Good Sort of the Year, YoungTEC Emerging Leader and YoungTEC Rising Star.

The prestigious and much sought after TECNZ Operator of the Year Awards are nominated and voted by members. They recognise excellence in terms of quality, professional development for team, health and safety, sustainability, business systems and outstanding visitor experiences.

The YoungTEC Awards recognise outstanding efforts and contribution to the development of New Zealand’s tourism industry. They are based on an application and interview process supported by Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand of which we are grateful for their support and involvement.

“Congratulations to our 2023 winners” says TECNZ Chief Executive, Lynda Keene. “I am delighted to have our annual Operator of the Year Awards return and with such a high calibre of nominations.” This is the first time since 2019 that the awards have been presented.

The 2023 TECNZ and YoungTEC Awards were presented by Chief Executive Lynda Keene and Scott Mehrtens during the TECNZ Conference at Distinction Hotel, Rotorua.

The winners of the 2023 TECNZ Operator of the Year Awards are:

  • Inbound Operator of the Year Award – Southern World
  • Allied Operator of the Year Award – Sudima Hotels
  • Small Business Operator of the Year Award – Fiordland Jet
  • Good Sort – Martin Langford, Ngāi Tahu Tourism

 The winners of the 2023 YoungTEC Awards are:

  •  YoungTEC Rising Star – Georgia MacMillan, Tomohawk and Morgan Potter, Central Otago District Council (joint winners)
  • YoungTEC Emerging Leader – Emma Canute, Wētā Workshop

ENDS

About the Tourism Export Council of New Zealand

The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ) is a trade association that represents the interests of the inbound tourism industry since 1971. Its membership includes inbound tour operators (Inbound Members) and attraction, activity, accommodation, transport suppliers, regional tourism organisations and tourism services providers (Allied Members). TECNZ members collectively handle most of New Zealand’s international visitor arrivals. www.tourismexportcouncil.org.nz.

For more information please contact:

Lynda Keene

CEO Tourism Export Council of NZ

027 6644 836

TECNZ 2023 Tourism Conference – “Rethinking the Future”

Wednesday 2 August 2023 – The vibrant, worldclass destination of Rotorua will be in the spotlight next week (8-10 August) as New Zealand’s tourism experts and key influencers (inbound tour operators that book international visitors) descend on the region for the Tourism Export Council of New Zealand’s (TECNZ) annual tourism conference and TECNZ Tourism Trade Event (TTE).

The Tourism Trade Event begins on Tuesday with record numbers of 38 Inbound Tour Operators (ITOs) in attendance. The trade event provides a platform for tourism businesses to update ITOs on changes to their visitor experiences and products. Over the 1.5 days, TECNZ ITO members will have up to 75 one-on-one business meetings with TECNZ Allied members (activity, transport, accommodation operators).

The sold-out TECNZ Conference then follows starting on Wednesday afternoon with an official welcome by local Iwi and Mayor Tania Tapsell.  Chief Executive Lynda Keene says, “This year’s theme ‘Rethinking the future’ indicates the international tourism sector has moved from survival mode to one that can now proactively focus on planning and look at trends that may influence future decisions throughout a business’s operation. As New Zealand moves into Year 2 of its international tourism recovery, it’s essential we explore areas of what is needed to ensure New Zealand’s global reputation and proposition remains competitive, innovative, and forward thinking.”

Over the two-day Conference, delegates will hear from Hon Peeni Henare the Minister of Tourism, René de Monchy CEO of Tourism New Zealand, Economist Cameron Bagrie, CEO David Downs of New Zealand Story, All Black legend Ian Jones, CEO of Genesis Energy Malcolm Johns and the keynote speaker, Mike King, New Zealand’s mental health advocate and TV personality.

On Day two delegates will partake in workshops covering Cyber Security, Health and Safety planning for the future and a visit to the new Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa. It will also include a panel discussion providing insights to trends from major source markets and a YoungTEC panel discussing Artificial Intelligence and the youth Gen Z workforce.

Chief Executive of RotoruaNZ, Andrew Wilson says “Rotorua is thrilled to be hosting the 2023 Tourism Export Council in our city.  The annual TECNZ Conference is always a highlight on NZ’s tourism events calendar and is a brilliant conference allowing industry to come together, share ideas, learn new trends, and network. Rotorua welcomes the opportunity to showcase our amazing region and we’ve organised famils for conference delegates that show the wealth of unique experiences Rotorua has to offer.  We know delegates will be inspired by the conference, as well as what they see and experience here during their time here with us”.

ENDS

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