Leaders in the hot seat at 2014 TIA Summit

Leaders in the hot seat at 2014 TIA Summit

Fourteen industry and government bosses will be put in the hot seat at the 2014 TIA Summit, asked to highlight what they are doing to help the tourism industry almost double annual revenue to $41 billion by 2025.

Taking place at Te Papa, Wellington, on 4 November, the Summit will focus on what has been done to put the industry’s Tourism 2025 growth framework into action since its launch seven months ago.

“Every tourism operator big and small has a part to play helping grow annual tourism revenue from its current $24 billion to $41 billion by 2025, but we can’t achieve this aspirational goal without strong leadership,” says Chris Roberts, Chief Executive of the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA).

Programme highlights:

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Christopher Luxon will chair a Summit session focusing on sectors that offer tourism high value growth opportunities, including cruise, international students, Christchurch (destination and gateway) and business events.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler will chair a session featuring heads of government agencies whose support is needed to remove barriers to travel, improve the visitor experience and provide relevant insight, including Immigration NZ, Statistics NZ, Customs NZ, Department of Conservation and Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment.

The third Tourism 2025 session features the leaders of tourism industry organisations, including Regional Tourism Organisations NZ, Maori Tourism, Tourism Export Council, Motel Association NZ and Holiday Accommodation Parks Association NZ.

“The Summit programme allows plenty of time for delegates to put the hard questions to these industry leaders,” says Mr Roberts, who will reveal how the industry is progressing against the $41 billion target.

“TIA led the development of Tourism 2025 with strong support from the industry’s public and private sectors. The Summit is part of our on-going role as both ‘storyteller’ – highlighting where Tourism 2025 is being brought to life, and as the ‘poker and prodder’ – keeping everyone aware of their collective responsibilities to deliver under the framework.”

Dominick Stephens, Chief Economist of Westpac, the Summit’s premier sponsor, will provide an economic overview and what the economic outlook means for tourism.

The programme also features two international speakers: Mark McCrindle, one of the most expert demographers, futurists and social commentators on the world stage today and Catherine DeVrye, an inspirational and award-winning author, who speaks globally on customer service, change and turning obstacles to opportunities, through resilience.

The 2014 TIA Summit will culminate with the Wellington Airport Summit Dinner. The winners of three Tourism Industry Awards will be announced at the dinner: the Crowe Horwath Sir Jack Newman Award, the PATA NZ Trust Young Tourism Leader Award and the ServiceIQ Visitor Experience Award.

Thanks to our Summit partners Westpac, ServiceIQ, Smartpay, Maori Tourism and Wellington Airport, and our Tourism Industry Awards partners Crowe Horwath International, PATA New Zealand Trust and ServiceIQ.

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