A Tourism Industry Association NZ (TIA) “Creating Our Future” road show will be in Dunedin on Tuesday (19 April) to hear the views of grassroots tourism operators on the state of the industry.

TIA’s national road show series is also visiting ten other centres throughout March and April.

“Tourism is New Zealand’s biggest export industry but over the past several years it has faced some of its toughest trading conditions, the result of the world financial crisis, which has been compounded by domestic events such as the Christchurch earthquake,” says TIA Chief Executive Tim Cossar.

“The four hour road shows are an opportunity for free and frank discussion around the challenges tourism operators are facing, potential solutions and opportunities, and what actions they see as being the priorities for the new government.”

Mr Cossar says the tourism industry is New Zealand’s biggest foreign exchange earner, worth $9.5 billion annually, generating wealth and one in ten jobs across the country.

The purpose of the road shows is to create a clear direction for the tourism industry over the next three years and beyond.

“We want to ensure our industry capitalises on the opportunities offered in 2011, including Rugby World Cup, the filming of The Hobbit movies and the introduction of new air links with some of our fastest growing visitor markets.

“The impact of the devastating Christchurch earthquake on Canterbury and the wider visitor industry, and how we can best address that will also be on the agenda.”

The information gathered from the road shows will be further discussed by the chief executives of New Zealand’s biggest tourism companies at an event hosted by Air New Zealand in May.

TIA will then report the key priorities to a top-level Political Summit in Wellington, which will be attended by the leaders of all the key political parties, including the Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key.

Mr Cossar says the industry priorities will form the basis of a 2011 Tourism Industry Election Manifesto which TIA will launch in the lead up to the 26 November General Election.

“It has never been more vital for our industry to provide a strong, united message to the Government about our goals and priorities for boosting New Zealand’s economic performance.”

The Dunedin road show will also provide attendees with updates about the latest domestic and international tourism trends, drawn from TIA’s Insights research, as well as the work TIA is doing for its members.

The road shows are sponsored by Air New Zealand and AA Tourism. Go to www.tianz.org.nz/main/NZ-Tourism-Regl-Leadership-Series for dates and venues.

ENDS

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