Tourism Industry Aotearoa

And that's a wrap! Thank you to all of our members and the wider industry for your ongoing support. Before we welcome 2025, here’s a look back at some our key achievements from 2024. - Released our first white paper and 28 submissions, advocating on levies, workforce, environment and more. - 421 learners undertook Akiaki, our new online learning program. With 9 courses released since the launch in June. - We hosted 3 major events - TRENZ | Tourism Summit Aotearoa | New Zealand Tourism Awards. With over 1900 attendees. - 2042 operators are now TSC signatories - committed to upholding the four elements of tourism sustainability: Economic, Visitor, Community and Environment. - Over 925 members joined our 8 webinars. With 98% satisfaction. Happy holidays and see you in 2025! 

The tourism industry got an early Christmas gift, with changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) system announced earlier today. These start coming in from January 2025, and include the removal of the median wage requirement for overseas workers, which had been causing distortions in how much people are being paid. There are also changes to seasonal pathways rules, and increases in duration for some visa types that give more certainty for workers and employers. Fixing the AEWV scheme is something we've advocated hard for, and it’s positive to see the government being responsive to tourism business needs. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/giuX6xeC

TIA is pleased to announce that over 8300 vehicles have been certified with a new green warrant under the new self-contained vehicle regulations. The initial estimated number of rental vehicles to be certified by the 7 December certification deadline was 5000. A big thank you to all operators impacted by these changes who have complied with the new regulations and exceeding the target expectations set by MBIE. For further information - https://shorturl.at/P4nms

The latest IVS data released last week is a step in the right direction towards the industry’s goal to reach $55 billion annually by 2030. The 30% YTD growth in international visitor spend reflecting the resilience of the sector, and setting the stage for the Government’s plans for the Tourism Growth Roadmap for sustainable development. For more insights on the IVS - https://shorturl.at/bZIKc

Two new Akiaki - Advancing Tourism courses are now available! They cover: - Investment and Innovation - Employer of Choice and Community Engagement Akiaki is an online learning programme, to help you understand the principles of sustainable tourism and how you can take practical steps within your own business. Even better for TIA members, it is completely free.   For more information and to register - Akiaki - Advancing Tourism   #akiaki #sustainabletourism

Last week the Climate Change Commission released its first review of the 2050 emissions target, alongside advice on the fourth emissions budget. A key recommendation? Including marine and aviation emissions in New Zealand's emissions reduction target. Earlier this year, TIA supported this move, and this important element has been included in the Commission's advice to the government. This inclusion means increased focus on enabling the aviation and cruise sectors to lower their carbon footprints. Click here for the full submission from the Climate Change Commission - https://shorturl.at/qjVG8

Our visitors consistently express high satisfaction with their experiences here—and the future looks even brighter. The visitor experience is evolving to be: 🔹 Self-directed 🔹 Personalised 🔹 Engaged 🔹 Memorable 🔹 Information-rich 🔹 Sustainable At the heart of this evolution is authenticity. Guided by Manaakitanga (hospitality), Kaitiakitanga (guardianship), and Whanaungatanga (kinship), the industry embraces these values to meet the needs of experience-seeking, digital-savvy, and values-driven travellers. How do you see these values shaping the future of tourism in Aotearoa New Zealand? Share your ideas! Check out our recent white paper to learn the latest on visitor experience in a changing world - https://lnkd.in/gHqQiEns

Did you know that 37,900 Chinese tourists visited Aotearoa New Zealand during Chinese New Year in 2024?    With the Year of the Snake approaching on 29 January 2025, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impression on one of New Zealand’s most valuable visitor markets!   🔑 Exclusive Member Resources on MyTIA: - Tips for creating culturally enriching experiences, from red envelopes to traditional foods. - Downloadable decor ideas and insights into family-friendly offerings. - Member-only Webinar: Learn how to leverage Little Red Book (Xiaohongshu) to attract Chinese visitors. Head to MyTIA now to access these resources - https://shorturl.at/5IJY6

The latest MBIE data is in, and it’s fantastic news for our tourism industry and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand! Highlights: - International visitors spent $11.7 billion in YE September 2024 – up 30% from last year’s $9 billion. - Holiday visitor expenditure hit $7.1 billion, a 39% increase. - Visitors loved their time here, with 90% satisfied or very satisfied, and 95% saying their trip met or exceeded expectations. For more key takeaways on the IVS visit our website - https://shorturl.at/eMlJF

Global demographics are shifting. Countries like Japan and South Korea face aging populations and declining birth rates, creating a growing segment of older, well-off travellers. For Aotearoa New Zealand, this presents a dual opportunity: - Attract older visitors with tailored offerings. - Engage younger travellers by delivering unique, experiential travel. Our latest white paper finds, "Adapting across age groups is key to ensuring our tourism industry thrives in this changing landscape." How do you think New Zealand’s tourism industry can cater to both older travellers and younger, experience-driven visitors? - https://lnkd.in/gHqQiEns #VX