INSIDE TOURISM – CONFERENCE 2013 REPORT

Chief Executive of the Tourism Export CounciI, Lesley Immink was absolutely rapt with how well the delegates received our keynote speakers of Butch Bradley from NZ Maori Tourism and Ngahihi o t era Bidois with his leadership and personal story. “Our tourism marketing promise is promoting our scenic splendour to the world with some focus on Maori and in my opinion it should be the other way around – Maori first and the environment second. I have been impressed with team at NZ Maori Tourism and what they are trying to achieve and thought the contribution of Maori to the NZ economy should be better appreciated as well as tell the story of what they are doing offshore with other export trade sectors. More Maori product is being developed around the country and I wanted to demonstrate as Butch said that we need to change our thinking of who Maori are and look at their successes and future, not be stuck with assumptions of who we might think they are.

Ngahi like so many of our amazing exports is better known offshore for his leadership story than here in New Zealand. He delivered a powerful and thought provoking presentation and challenged us to look at ourselves for the answers to our own questions. Many delegates commented that the haka he and the Te Arawa boys performed at the end was the most heartfelt haka they had ever seen!

To finish with extra-ordinary artist Marcus Winter using sand and a lightbox doing a custom made performance representing icons of our country including being 100% Sure of our message, was mesmerising and incredible to witness. He didn’t have to be Maori but I was delighted he was and another amazing example of Maori talent.

Why was there more of an emphasis on Maori at this Conference – the question is surely 100% why not?”

It was a humble and gracious Warren Harford of the Agrodome who accepted the latest Life Member award for service to ITOC over the years. Warren served 17 years on the ITOC Board from 1996 and Vice President for 13 years. Many thanks Warren for all the assistance and inspiration you have shared with ITOC and TEC members!

Congratulations to Pacific Destinationz and Real Journeys for winning the Inbound and Operator of the Year 2013 awards which were presented at the TEC Conference, Copthorne Solway Masterton this week!

INSIDE TOURISM – PRESIDENT’S REPORT “Environment”

I’ve never seen myself as a greenie and thought I’d be the last person trying to convey environment messages.  But I feel very strongly that we’re on a knife edge right now.  That unless we take a step back, take this stuff seriously, are willing to make a stand about protecting our environment better, there is a serious risk that a deteriorating environment will have nasty repercussions on not just how we live and enjoy New Zealand, as New Zealanders.  But that New Zealand export’s (including Tourism) will become less desirable to the International markets.  And that is bad news all around.

Botulism is a word nobody in New Zealand ever wants to hear again.  But the recent scandal/scare highlights just how quickly bad news spreads. Although Botulism is found in soil also, Fonterra said the contamination was the result of a dirty pipe – if so – that’s a mistake, a human error – not an ecological problem.  Even so the repercussions have been serious and New Zealand clean green reputation took a tumble.

What if we had a serious genuine ecological issue in New Zealand?   Something not as easily fixed as replacing a pipe.    After the international attention this got a few weeks ago, it bears not to think what sort of attention, a country that sells itself on being clean and green would attract if that reputation was tarnished.

Former Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer, spoke recently at the Environmental Defence Society’s national conference and stated “I think we have some pretty critical issues to face up to in the area of the environment,” 

His comments came just a week after data from the Ministry for the Environment showed it was unsafe to swim at nearly two-thirds of monitored recreational sites on New Zealand Rivers – which I find just staggering.

We’ve heard other environmental experts tell us that

• New Zealand now has the highest proportion of threatened species in the world. Including 68 per cent of our freshwater fish.
• We have lost more than 90 per cent of our wetlands, 68 per cent of our ecosystems are threatened and 96 per cent of our lowland waterways are un-swimmable.
• 43 per cent of all lakes classed as polluted, mostly lowland
• In dairy farming areas, groundwater nitrate levels are rising quickly and human health is also directly impacted with an estimated 18,000 to 34,000 people annually contracting waterborne diseases
• Soils in dairy areas are reaching heavy metal contamination levels from over-fertilisation, threatening our future food security and exports

We’ve got blinders on if we don’t think the rest of the world hasn’t recognised we’re potentially on a slippery slope as well:

•              A recent international comparison of environmental performance revealed New Zealand ranked 161st on per capita performance and 130th for overall impacts out of 180 countries.

•              Yale University’s Environmental Performance Index for 2012 now ranks New Zealand 14th out of 132 countries – in 2006, we were No 1. The index also tracks environmental performance trends, measuring a country’s progress over the past decade – under this formula, New Zealand ranked 50th.

My point is, if we are on a slippery slope, the Tourism Industry has much to lose and we need to better advocate change –  as there could well come a time when environmental slippage starts to affect the New Zealand tourism industry’s’ bottom line.

We need to make many improvements if we want to keep trading on our clean, green brand.  A sobering thought for us all.

NEW INDUSTRY AWARD FOR YOUNG TEC RISING STARS!

The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand announced today at the national tourism conference held at the Copthorne Solway Hotel in Masterton, a new award in 2014 for rising tourism stars of the future.

Young TEC is a new younger generation of tourism professionals who are under the age of 36 years and who are members of Tourism Export Council companies. In 2012 when the new brand and name was changed from ITOC to the Tourism Export Council, Young TEC was initiated to assist with the professional development of younger tourism staff. Twelve months on, an executive committee and regional coordinators have been appointed with various regional activities and networking functions hosted around the country.

In 2014 a professional development programme will be delivered during the winter months in conjunction with the first Young TEC Excellence Award process. All Young TEC members are eligible to enter and the award recognises the outstanding efforts and contribution to the development of New Zealand’s tourism industry by a Young TEC member.

The winning candidate will receive:

• Two week professional development placement in one of Tourism New Zealand’s international offices
•  Return economy flights sponsored by Air New Zealand
•  Accommodation at an Accor Property
• $1,000 spending money for overseas expenses

President Martin Horgan of the Tourism Export Council is enthused and says “this is an amazing opportunity for our young people to plan for a long career in tourism and demonstrates the Tourism Export Councils commitment to succession planning and professional development of our future tourism leaders. We are very grateful to our sponsors Air New Zealand, Tourism New Zealand and Accor Hotels who didn’t hesitate when approached to support this award.”

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler says it fantastic to see the industry identify and support the people who will shape its future.    “Through programmes like Young TEC and this new award, the industry is really embracing the new ideas and fresh perspective that comes from the younger generation of tourism professionals.

 “Acknowledging success and providing ongoing professional development are core parts of Tourism New Zealand’s culture so we are pleased to be able to offer our support to Young TEC and the Rising Stars award.   

Application criteria is being developed and the award presented at the 2014 Tourism Conference.

Set on the waterfront of Auckland City on Okahu Bay, just moments from the famous Mission Bay beach, Kelly Tarlton’s SEA LIFE Aquarium is one of Auckland’s top attractions!

Kelly Tarlton’s showcases over 30 live animal exhibits in spectacular habitat displays, including the world’s largest Antarctic Penguin Colony Exhibit and amazing underwater viewing tunnels.

Our fantastic Animal Adventures offer unique and thrilling ‘up close’ underwater encounters with huge sharks, including the all new Shark Dive Xtreme and Shark Cage experience. You can also head out onto the ice to get up close to our amazing penguins with Penguin Discovery

The New Zealand Tourism Export Council is pleased welcome our latest members –  we look forward to working with you!

ALLIED MEMBERS:

GO Rentals – www.gorentals.co.nz – James Dalglish

Waimarama Maori Tours – www.waimaramamaori.com – Robert Mac Donald

Bay Tours Nelson – www.baytoursnelson.co.nz – Owen Perry

Wairakei Terraces – www.wairakeiterraces.co.nz – James Hill

NZ Transfers & Tours – www.nztransfersandtours.co.nz – Chris Clark

Auckland Skydive & Taupo Skydive – www.skydiveauckland.com – Lisa Chambers

Maataatua, Te Manuka Tutahi – www.mataatua.com – Hinauri Mead

Maori Tours Kaikoura – www.maoritours.co.nz – Maurice Manawatu

Pa Harakeke – www.paharakeke.co.nz – Glen Katu

Te Ana Rockart – www.teana.co.nz – Amanda Symon

Skydive Auckland offer the highest tandem skydive in New Zealand from a thrilling 18,000ft. Freefall for up to 75 seconds at a speed of 200+km/hr with stunning views of both the east and west coasts of NZ, Waiheke Island, Great Barrier Island and Mt Ruapehu. Skydive Auckland is based in Parakai, an easy 45 minutes drive from Auckland. Free transport is provided from Auckland City (subject to availability).

TOURISM BUSINESS MAGAZINE – Tourism Succession Planning with Young TEC

With the rebrand of ITOC to the Tourism Export Council last year, a new “youth organisation” was  initiated called Young TEC. Membership to Young TEC is free for all staff and employees of TEC who are between the ages of 18-36 years. We have had a great uptake of Young TEC members and a voluntary executive committee was established with regional coordinators in Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Top of the South and Queenstown appointed.  12 months on the Young TEC constitution and election process is about to be approved with the Chair of Young TEC having a valued governance position on the TEC Board.

After 5’s and breakfast networking events have been held around the country and the next step is the development of the career path “national development programme” which will be held next winter 2014. The national development programme will cover 8 weeks where participants will be matched with ‘famous and infamous’ industry mentors.  Topics with keynote speakers appropriate to each subject area will include:

1. Career Planning

2. Tourism Industry overview

3. International markets

4. Distribution Channels

5. Customer Service & Sales with Social Media

6.  Maori Cultural Training

7. Public Speaker & Presentation Skills

8. Human Resources & Conflict Resolution

Aside from the “national development programme” it is the intention to have an annual Young TEC conference day and for this year it will be Tuesday 10 December – the day before the TEC Xmas Symposium – this year held at the Pullman Hotel. More details to follow.

The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand Annual Conference 2017 will be hosted by Distinction Hotel & Villas on Wednesday 16 & Thursday 17 August in Te Anau.

Visit the Annual Conference page to register online, book accommodation and see the famil options this year.

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Past Conferences: 

2016 – Taupo

2015 – Dunedin

2014 – Hamilton

2013 – Masterton
2012 – West Coast
2011 – Tauranga
2010 – Marlborough
2009 – Gisborne
2008 – Queenstown
2007 – Bay of Islands
2006 – Wellington (Joint Tourism Industry Conference)
2005 – Nelson
2004 – Napier
2003 – Dunedin
2002 – Auckland
2001 – Queenstown (30th Year Anniversary)
2000 – Wellington (Joint Tourism Industry Conference)
1999 – New Plymouth
1998 – Queenstown
1997 – Rotorua (25th Year Anniversary)
1996 – Te Anau
1995 – Taupo
1994 – Franz Josef Glacier
1993 – Waitangi
1992 – Dunedin
1991 – Rotorua
1990 – Wellington
1989 – Christchurch
1988 – Northland
1987 – Queenstown/Te Anau
1986 – Nelson
1985 – Palmerston North
1984 – Queenstown
1983 – Waitangi
1982 – Wanganui
1981 – Mt Cook
1980 – Rotorua
1979 – Te Anau
1978 – Wairakei
1977 – Queenstown
1976 – Waitangi
1975 – Queenstown