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In its first 100 days, the New Zealand Government must make plans to reopen the nation’s borders and issue a $200 domestic Travel Card to everyone in the country according to Tourism Industry Aotearoa.

These initiatives are among five immediate actions that Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) is requesting from the new Government to help revive and revitalise New Zealand’s tourism industry. 

TIA Communications Manager Ann-Marie Johnson says early action from the incoming Government will ensure tourism recovers its place among the biggest contributors to New Zealand’s economy.

In its 100-day plan for Government, TIA has proposed achievable outcomes that will provide a roadmap to recovery, support tourism businesses and stimulate demand, with Johnson explaining “tourism was the first industry to be hit by the pandemic and will be the last to recover.

We are grateful for Government support to date and look forward to working with the new Government to grow a sustainable tourism industry that benefits New Zealanders.”

Advising that it a call for the new Government to work towards reconnecting with the rest of the world is at the top of TIA’s list, Johnson noted “our borders can only be opened when it is safe to do so, but we must plan for that time. We should initiate discussions with multiple countries and reach agreement on the conditions for opening the borders.”

In the meantime, TIA feels that a $200 Travel Card would help stimulate domestic tourism outside weekends and school holidays. A card could be issued to every New Zealander and linked with special deals from participating tourism and hospitality businesses across the country - to be used weekdays only, from 1st March 2021.

Johnson noted “New Zealanders prefer to travel at weekends and during school holidays, leaving lower demand on weekdays. This makes it difficult for tourism operators to provide fulltime employment so a Travel Card would support jobs around the country.” 

 TIA is also calling on the Government to support viable tourism businesses by giving them access to a new Bridging Finance facility, with John son explaining “thousands of small operators are the backbone of the New Zealand tourism industry. Through no fault of their own, they cannot access their overseas customers, and not all can fill that void by hosting domestic visitors. Targeted support will ensure these businesses still exist when international travellers return.”
TIA wants the Government to establish a Tourism Innovation Fund to support ideas that will improve productivity and keep New Zealand at the forefront of innovation as we build a new tourism industry.

Improvements to tourism data and insight are also urgently needed, Johnson says. It was agreed in late 2019 that industry and government should have a co-governance model for the provision of the data and insight the industry needs. This body - a Tourism Research Council - needs to be established quickly, so it can determine what those data needs are.

With a supportive Government partner, tourism will be a vital contributor to the four capitals of the Living Standards Framework: creating jobs, enhancing the environment, supporting businesses and contributing to social cohesion in communities across the country. 

Johnson concluded “tourism is a highly resilient industry. With targeted support, system fixes and a shared vision, the industry will again contribute to New Zealand’s success.” 

Images courtesy of Tourism New Zealand.

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