International Tourism Industry Getting Ready to Go
9 August 2022 – The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand annual conference with 260 delegates is delighted to be back in the Nelson Tasman region this week to discuss all things relating to international tourism and its future.
Chief Executive of the Tourism Export Council of New Zealand Lynda Keene said, “Tourism has faced significant challenges over the past two and half years due to (COVID-19) and the conference provides an important opportunity to look ahead for the start of NZ’s international tourism recovery.”
“No region or business has been immune to the impact of having no international visitors. Tough is an understatement. The last twelve months have hurt, a lot. Many businesses have only just survived. It is a testament to business owners fortitude that they have hung in at great personal cost to keep staff employed and be ready to welcome back visitors. Although the border is now open, there is still a long way to go for businesses to see a path forward with their recovery and get their books back in the black. Most will not make a surplus this year as they are starting the season in the red.”
A newly developed component TECNZ initiated last year called the Tourism Trade Expo will again feature at this year’s event. The purpose of the trade event is to provide a platform for tourism businesses to update Inbound Tour Operators (ITOs) on changes to their visitor experiences and products. Many businesses have adapted their visitor offering for the domestic market and some new products will be suitable for international travellers when they return.
Speakers include Hon Stuart Nash Minister of Tourism, Mayor Rachel Reese, René de Monchy CEO of Tourism New Zealand, Kylie Archer, Chief Operating Officer of World Trade Expo 2020 (Dubai), Economist Cameron Bagrie, Richard Ussher (Olympian, Multi-day Adventure Athlete and tourism operator) and the keynote speaker, Nelson’s Liam Malone, Paralympian, businessman and motivational speaker.
Delegates will also hear how international tourism is rebounding from major inbound tourism leaders in the UK, Europe, Ireland and Australia. An international panel on Day 2 of conference will also provide insights to trends from major source markets and opportunities for New Zealand’s international tourism recovery.
ENDS
Media contact:
Lynda Keene, phone: 027 66 44 836
About TECNZ
The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ) is a trade association that represents the interests of the inbound tourism industry since 1971 (51 years).
Our members are the international specialists and businesses who built the annual $17.5bn earnings for NZ over five decades. Our membership includes inbound tour operators (who physically bring in visitors) and attraction, activity, accommodation, transport suppliers, regional tourism organisations and tourism services providers (Allied Members). TECNZ represents 65 Inbound Tour Operators and 250 international tourism entities across New Zealand.