TIA Offers Support to Christchurch Tourism Operators

TIA Road Show Offers Support to Christchurch Tourism Operators

The Tourism Industry Association NZ (TIA) is taking its “Creating Our Future” road show series to Christchurch on Thursday (14 April) to hear the views of quake-hit tourism operators on the state of their sector.

“Christchurch and Canterbury tourism operators are suffering the impacts of the earthquakes that have hit the region, and many will continue to feel the effects for a long time to come,” TIA Chief Executive Tim Cossar says.

“We want to hear from them first-hand what their priorities are for the recovery, and how we can best support them through that process.”

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

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.

“We recognise that Christchurch operators will be focused on different issues to those in other parts of the country right now, but we want to offer them the opportunity to have their voices heard,” Mr Cossar says.

Nationally, the industry priorities identified through the road show series 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. Medium to long-term support of the Christchurch tourism industry’s recovery is sure to be an important part of the Manifesto.

“Tourism is a significant part of Canterbury’s economy, pouring about $2.32 billion into the region a year. Rebuilding a vibrant tourism sector, for both international and domestic travellers, will help preserve local jobs and businesses.”

The information gathered from the road show series 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.

“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 Christchurch 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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