Wednesday Letter

New Zealand’s tourism sector must work together to grow the country’s appeal in an increasingly competitive global market, writes Tourism New Zealand chief executive René de Monchy.

NZCA’s Kevin O’Sullivan says the measures taken by the industry make cruises safer from Covid than many other land-based settings.

In his final address as president of HPNZ, David Aflallo says the holiday park industry’s ability to adapt, listen and rebuild will propel it through the recovery.

NZ tourism needs to focus on professional development to upskill and transform into a high value workforce, writes Alex Dykman.

Nash is leaning heavily on the Tourism’s ITP but that is not a strategy for the sector, writes the Ticker’s Paul Yandall.

From STAPP’s “big and fast” to the latest “small and late” plan, the government is winding down its support for tourism and, with no sign of an open border, that leaves many operators with a stark choice, writes the Ticker’s Bennett Richardson.

The tourism recovery will require a different way of thinking and working, writes BCA’s Ben McFadgen.

DOC’s new boss Penny Nelson on how regenerative tourism can help the sector get through Covid to a better future.

The sector has fallen through the cracks, and those cracks are turning into a mighty chasm, writes BEIA’s Lisa Hopkins.

Inbounders are at breaking point but there are reasons to be hopeful, writes TECNZ chief executive Lynda Keene.

Tourism New Zealand’s Rebecca Ingram joins Tourism Industry Aotearoa as chief executive at a pivotal period for the industry, writes the Ticker’s Bennett Richardson.

RTNZ’s Charlie Ives looks back on 51 years in tourism and travel and has a final message for the sector.

Regional tourism organisations are evolving to meet tourism’s challenges and opportunities and Regional Tourism New Zealand is changing too, writes chair David Perks. 

TIA’s Chris Roberts outlines the top 10 measures that will ensure the short-term survival of the industry.

New TECNZ chair Scott Mehrtens implores the government to set a date for re-opening, and it should be in Q1 of 2022.

HPNZ president David Aflallo says the pandemic has taught tourism some valuable lessons.

In a TRENZ like no other, after a year like no other, industry finally got a chance to reconnect and plot a recovery, writes the Ticker’s Bennett Richardson.

Queenstown must rebuild its tourism and at the same time invest in economic ‘insurance’.

A start date for a trans-Tasman bubble could mark more than just the return of Australians for New Zealand tourism, writes the Ticker’s Paul Yandall.

The tourism minister is cutting a unilateral path through the sector, writes the Ticker’s Bennett Richardson. 

Stuart Nash rode into Glacier Country raising hopes of support but instead he took aim at the struggling community’s pleas, writes the Ticker’s Bridget O’Connell.     

It’s been a long road to recovery but momentum is building in this brand new city, writes Loren Heaphy.

How the Auditor-General’s inquiry could help some who missed out on support.

The Ticker’s Paul Yandall on the Government’s response to the tourism crisis a year after it started closing the country’s border.

The Ticker hit the road over Christmas and saw a stark difference in how regions were coping with the closed border.

The Ticker’s Paul Yandall looks ahead at how the industry could be reshaped post-Covid.

In its submission to the Tourism Futures Taskforce, Holiday Parks New Zealand focused on responsible camping, sustainability and the conservation estate.

The Ticker’s view on who should be the next minister of tourism.

ACT leader David Seymour on how the party plans to support tourism.

NZ First’s tourism spokesperson on how it plans to help drive up revenue for the industry.

The Green Party’s tourism spokesperson lays out her vision for the sector.

National’s tourism spokesperson lays out his vision for the sector.

As part of our Election 2020 coverage, we hand over Wednesday Letter to each of the main party tourism spokespeople for their vision for New Zealand tourism. This week, tourism minister Kelvin Davis.

The association’s CEO on why the latest lockdown “feels so much worse” for the struggling industry.

Queenstown Lakes District mayor Jim Boult on the potential downturn in spending at the end of wage subsidies, getting events into district, and a two-speed economy.

The CEO of NZ Māori Tourism on the value of investing in the cultural wealth.

A lively school holidays and Australia’s extension of its JobKeeper programme should prompt a rethink by the Government of its suppport for tourism, writes the Ticker’s Paul Yandall.

Haka Tours & ANZ Nature Tours general manager Eve Lawrence says she is exasperated with the media coverage of the Covid-19 fallout, adding the negativity is affecting mental health and the outlook for businesses.

TIA’s Roberts on coping with Covid impacts, applying for STAPP, and lobbying “hard and relentlessly” for industry.

Southern RTOs should jointly market the South Island as a destination, say economists Peter Fieger and Tom Coupe.

The DG on the $500m Jobs for Nature scheme, the Great Walks differential pricing trial, and getting Kiwis into nature.

The Government needs to provide more than just money if tourism is to have any hope of a decent recovery, writes the Ticker’s Paul Yandall. 

New Zealand Tourism recovery: Are there lessons from a Fiji-styled ‘Tourism Action Group’?

Now is the time to rethink and reshape tourism for a domestic market, says tourism professor David Simmons.

The Ticker’s Paul Yandall on why there’s hope in the recent past for New Zealand tourism.

Marion Joppe, Law and Economics of Tourism Professor at Canada’s University of Guelph, says outbound tourism and travel to China has been devastated by the coronavirus outbreak with the impact being felt around the world and in many industries.

The minister reflects on 2019 and looks ahead to the Govt’s key priorities for tourism in 2020. 

The CEO on last week’s tragic events, the heartwarming community response, and the challenges ahead for tourism.

Tourism growth needs to be productive, sustainable and inclusive, says TIA’s chief executive.

Departing CINZ chief executive Sue Sullivan has a final message for government.