Tourism operators urged to vote strategically

Tourism operators should make sure they know their local candidates’ view on tourism and use their vote to support the country’s second largest export industry, says Chris Roberts, Chief Executive, Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA).

Mr Roberts says the tourism industry contributes $24 billion to the New Zealand economy annually, second only to dairy, and supports 172,100 or over 8% of all full-time-equivalent jobs, representing a powerful voting bloc.

Tourism employment includes chefs, pilots, shuttle drivers, tour guides, receptionists, managers, raft guides, education providers and cycle hire operators. Tourism also supports a wide range of other businesses such as supermarkets, farmers, builders and accountants.

“Last month we sent a copy of our 2014 Tourism Election Manifesto to Parliamentary candidates in Saturday’s General Election, and to all our association members, highlighting a set of six priority actions for the incoming Government to support the industry to achieve our value goals.

“These include supporting the industry’s Tourism 2025 growth framework which aims to almost double annual revenue to $41 billion by 2025, improving infrastructure to support the range of activities visitors enjoy, making travel easier to and around New Zealand, and getting the workforce right – being able to employ people with the right skills in the right locations.”

The Manifesto includes a Tourism Employment Atlas and Tourism Spending Map that show tourism’s contribution to each region of New Zealand.

Mr Roberts says these new regional tourism employment and spend figures paint a really clear picture of how the tourism economy benefits every region in the country, and highlight to candidates and decision makers the value of the tourism economy.

“With the wide distribution of the Manifesto there’s no excuse for ignorance. Every candidate should be aware how important tourism growth is for New Zealand’s future wellbeing – and tourism operators should give their vote to a candidate prepared to support that growth potential in their local area.”

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