TIA in the News

Below are a selection of news articles referencing TIA

August 2008

Tourism businesses lift their green image
New Zealand Herald, 11 August 2008
The tourism industry is getting a lesson in helping to preserve the precious environment it relies on to draw visitors from around the world.

REACH FOR THE SKY
The Press, 9 August 2008
Given slowing visitor growth, New Zealand's largest export earner is threatening to turn into a full-blown lobbying machine.

Tourism developer attacks Rodney council for costly delays
Radio New Zealand, 8 August 2008
Delays in gaining resource consent for tourism projects are harming the industry and discouraging developers from investing in New Zealand, says a company director.
Checkpoint audio link: http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/national/ckpt/2008/08/08/gaining_resource_consent_harms_tourism_industry

Southland 'very much in our thinking' for cup hosting
The Southland Times, 8 August 2008
Southland's 2005 Lions tour performance proved it could step up for the 2011 World Cup, Rugby New Zealand 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden said yesterday.

Magic Travellers Network wins top tourism prize
National Business Review, 6 August 2008
The Magic Travellers Network has won top prize at the Tourism Industry Association's awards in Christchurch.

Aussies can show how it's done
Dominion Post, 6 August 2008
Australian expertise in hosting sports events could "show the way" when four million Kiwis take on the 2011 Rugby World Cup party, Martin Snedden has told the tourism industry.

Tourism Operators win top industry award
Otago Daily Times, 6 August 2008
Queenstown and Wanaka tourism operators triumphed at the Tourism Industry Awards presented in Christchurch last night.

South claims tourism awards
Southland Times, 6 August 2008
Southern tourism operators won three major categories at the Tourism Industry awards in Christchurch last night.

Tourism sector seeks notice
The Press, 6 August 2008
The "ultimate export industry" has to be better recognised by government as an employer when manufacturing and other industries are losing ground, new tourism industry boss Tim Cossar says.

Tourism Tax (audio link)
Radio New Zealand National, 6 August 2008
Talk of imposing an environmental tax on international visitors who arrive on NZ shores, is gaining momentum. (duration: 3′20″)

A visitors' levy
Christchurch Press, 6 August 2008
The concept of charging foreign visitors a levy has again been raised by Tourism Minister Damien O'Connor, writes The Press in an editorial.

DOC eases operators' concession renewal pain
Southland Times | Wednesday, 6 August 2008
More investment is expected in southern tourism, with a new deal with the Department of Conservation to improve concessions.

Tourism Operators Gain Longer Access Deals to DoC Land
Radio New Zealand National, 6 August 2008
An agreement signed at the tourism industry's annual conference yesterday pushes access rights out to 15 years.

Longer leases for DoC land
New Zealand Herald, 6 August 2008
Tourism businesses operating on sensitive conservation land are to be given the opportunity to extend their leases to between 15 and 20 years under a new agreement signed by the Department of Conservation and the Tourism Industry Association.

How is the aviation industry faring?
TV3, 5 August 2008
The annual tourism conference is on in Christchurch. One of the key note speakers is Ken Morton the communications director for the Boeing company.

Business (audio link)
Radio New Zealand National, 5 August 2008
With commentator Rod Oram (includes mention of Tourism Industry Conference 2008). (duration: 17′08″)

Domestic Travel Drug of Choice for New Zealand Tourism Operators
fourcorners.co.nz, 5 August 2008
Day trips within New Zealand are the ‘marijuana’ of the country’s tourism industry, and industry members should be working hard to get New Zealanders hooked.

English says no extra funding for tourism
Southland Times, 5 August 2008
Despite accusing the Government of neglecting tourism funding, National will not commit to extra funding if elected, citing other priorities.

Most tourism businesses support levy
The Press, 5 August 2008
Most New Zealand tourism businesses favour a proposal to charge international visitors a tax to help keep the country clean and green, Tourism Minister Damien O'Connor says.

Targeting Aussies `short-sighted'
Southland Times, 5 August 2008
Queentown's focus on Australian tourism was short-sighted and potentially self-destructive, a business commentator said yesterday.

Economist predicts inflation will restrict Reserve Bank's ability ...
The Press, 5 August 2008
Continuing inflationary pressures mean the Reserve Bank of New Zealand is unlikely to reduce interest rates below 7 per cent, Westpac bank chief economist Brendan O'Donovan says.

NZ tourism gets $2 million boost
Radio Australia, 5 August 2008
The New Zealand government is putting an extra $US 2 million to help implement a new national tourism plan.

O'Connor floats tourist tax to fund industry
New Zealand Herald, 5 August 2008
Funding has finally been approved for the Government's much talked about tourism strategy but the difficulty in getting it passed has highlighted key financing issues for the industry.

Helping NZ Tourism lift their game (3:47)
NZI Business, TVNZ, 4 August 2008
Australian tourism consultant Tony Charters, attending the local tourism industry conference in Christchurch, on how local operators can lift their game.

Energy Efficiency Scheme to Benefit Tourism Operators
fourcorners.co.nz, 1 August 2008
The Tourism Energy Efficiency Programme, launced today, could have multiple benefits for New Zealand tourism operators...

Go green, tourist sector told
Stuff.co.nz, 1 August 2008
Tourism businesses are being told they need to turn green or risk being left behind in the battle for a dwindling number of visitors in fuel-starved times.

July 2008

Rotorua hoteliers warn against rates hike
Radio New Zealand, 27 July 2008
Hoteliers in Rotorua are warning a proposed rates increase could lead to job losses and deter new tourism operators from investing in the area.

GOOD NEWS: Why so many visitors like these two are flocking to Rotorua
The Daily Post, 18 July 2008
The number of New Zealanders visiting Rotorua is growing faster than any other destination in the country, highlighting the positive impact conferences and promotions have on local tourism.

Tourism operators go green
The Daily Post, 12 July 2008
Rotorua tourism operators have recognised that green is the new black in business.

June 2008

Rising fuel prices hurting tourism
Otago Daily Times, 18 June 2008
New Zealand's tourism industry says it's feeling the pinch from high fuel prices, with flight prices on the rise and travellers arriving with less to spend.

Harvesting China Tourism
Bright - New Zealand Trade & Enterprise magazine, May/June 2008
The Chinese are travelling and New Zealand is one of their destinations. The challenge for our tourism industry is to make sure the visitors have a quality experience

Minister floats 'green tax' on tourists
New Zealand Herald, 5 June 2008
An unofficial proposal by the Tourism Minister to charge international visitors a "green tax" has already received the cold shoulder from the industry.

Naturist park going off in NZ tourism awards
Bay of Plenty Times, 3 June 2008
A Katikati holiday park is living up to tourism's 100% Pure New Zealand branding.

May 2008

Tourist trap
New Zealand Herald, 31 May 31 2008
The last time the tourism industry was hit by an economic downturn was after the Asian crisis in 2000.

Indigenous values core to New Zealand tourism
e-Travel Blackboard, Sydney, Australia, 30 May 2008
In hosting Trenz 2008, Rotorua has indeed maintained its reputation as the ‘mecca’ of Maori culture not only through its traditional opening ceremony, but also by the influx of Maori-experience exhibitors. 

Outlook for South bright
Otago Daily Times, 29 May 2008
Southern tourism operators at the three-day Tourism Rendezvous New Zealand (Trenz) conference in Rotorua are reporting strong interest from overseas buyers of New Zealand tourism products, who are increasingly looking for new and exciting destinations.

Dunedin becoming a 'must-see' destination
Otago Daily Times, 29 May 2008
Tourists are increasingly surprised by what Dunedin has to offer, but not by the weather, a report reveals. 

Interest in Chinese garden
Otago Daily Times, 29 May 2008
The Dunedin Chinese garden was popular with buyers of tourism products at the start of the Trenz conference in Rotorua yesterday. 

Attractions keep up with the TRENZ
The Daily Post, 29 May 2008
Squeezing through a 30m crack in the earth, riding Harley Davidsons around the lakes and re-development of the Tarawera Landing are among new offerings for tourists to Rotorua. 

Successful Kiwi entrants to 2008 Tourism Industry Awards named
e-Travel Blackboard, Australia – 29 May 2008
The announcement of the finalists in the 2008 Tourism Industry Awards at the opening of Trenz 2008 in Rotorua featured a range of industry operators fluctuating between global corporations and tourism newcomers. 

Tourism NZ: Going green or going red?
e-Travel Blackboard, Australia – 29 May 2008
Holding the title of the oldest tourism board in the world, as well as one of the most ‘green’, the new initiatives and campaigns of Tourism New Zealand may alleviate some of the struggles that Kiwi tourism will confront in the face of difficult market conditions and decreased Asian demand. 

Largest tourism event moves back to largest NZ city
e-Travel Blackboard - Sydney, Australia, 29 May 2008
Although Trenz has been successfully held in Rotorua for two consecutive years, it was announced on Wednesday that New Zealand’s largest tourism trade event will move back to Auckland in 2009. 

New Zealand tourism prospects (video link)
Breakfast Business, TV One, 29 May 2008
Breakfast Business host Corrin Dann talks to the chairman of the Tourism Industry Association Norm Thompson to gauge the mood and prospects for an industry that is having to face soaring oil prices and a slowing world economy  

Auckland Airport removes departure fee, airlines to carry the cost instead
e-Travel Blackboard, Australia – 29 May 2008
The hassles of the $25 international departure fee imposed upon passengers leaving Auckland Airport has finally been eliminated, as CEO Don Huse announced Wednesday morning, at a media breakfast in Rotorua, at Trenz 2008. 

Airport charges to change
Otago Daily Times, 29 May 2008
Travellers heading overseas from New Zealand's largest airport will pay a passenger services charge, rather than the present $25 international departure fees, among other changes for Auckland Airport announced at the Trenz 2008 tourism conference in Rotorua yesterday.  

Operator affirms green credentials
Southland Times, 29 May 2008
A commitment to conservation is a vital key to tourism operator Real Journeys' philosophy, the company says. 

Marketing pays off
Southland Times, 29 May 2008
Marketing efforts were paying off for Stewart Island's tourism industry, Kaka Cottages manager Abby Aronsen said. 

Trial for biofuel
Otago Daily Times, 29 May 2008
Air New Zealand will use biofuel in a test flight at Auckland Airport later this year. Te

Bay tourism set for international boost
Bay of Plenty Times, 29 May 2008
Western Bay is certain to benefit from an upsurge in visitors as overseas tourists look to explore new regions of the country. 

Airport extension has to get airlines to fly
Rotorua Review, 29 May 2008
A former Rotorua man influential at a national tourism level is returning to the city for TRENZ this week. 

Canny marketing could earn Grab-a-Seat bonus for south
Southland Times - 28 May 2008
A southern tourism operator is looking to cash in on the back of Air New Zealand's Grab-a-Seat promotion through some crafty marketing.

Distance no obstacle for White Island Tours

Southern operators tourism award finalists
The Southland Times, 28 May 2008
Six southern tourism operators have been named finalists in the prestigious New Zealand Tourism Industry Awards. 

Air NZ warns of lower profits
New Zealand Herald, 28 May 2008
Air New Zealand has downgraded its profit forecasts for the second time in just over a month, warning that high fuel costs will see earnings fall below $200 million for the year ending June 30 - a drop of more than 25 per cent. 

Taking central Taranaki to the world
Stratford Press,  28 May 2008
PETER Mischefski of the Central Taranaki Tourism Network (CTTN) has been in Rotorua since Monday, showing off the best our region has to offer to potential visitors and business partners. 

Air New Zealand Selects Socially Sustainable Biofuel
fourcorners.co.nz, 28 May 2008
Air New Zealand Deputy Chief Executive Norm Thompson said today that Air New Zealand has sought out socially sustainable biofuel sources for its planned 747 biofuel test flight.

Sustainable Tourism the Hot Topic at TRENZ 2008
fourcorners.co.nz, 28 May 2008
The unveiling of the environmentally focused Qualmark Green initiative yesterday kicked off a week of talk on sustainability in tourism at TRENZ 2008. 

NZ tourism industry goes green
Otago Daily Times, 28 May 2008
Green was the word at the Tourism Rendezvous New Zealand (Trenz) conference in Rotorua yesterday.

Travel agents focus on Oz air link
The Daily Post, 28 May 2008
Build it and we will come. That's the message to Rotorua from Australian travel agents, who say transtasman flights are vital to the city's continued tourism growth. 

Our attractions are the best
The Daily Post, 28 May 2008
Two of Rotorua's oldest and most popular tourist attractions and a new kid on the block have made the finals of the 2008 New Zealand Tourism Industry Awards. 

TRENZ 2008 lauches in true Maori style
e-Travel Blackboard - Sydney, Australia, 28 May 2008
The ceremonial launch of the largest business event in New Zealand welcomed hundreds of buyers from 28 countries, 320 New Zealand tourism operators and 50 media to Trenz 2008 – Tourism Industry Rendezvous New Zealand in Rotorua. 

Tourism NZ launches "I'm going for gold!"
e-Travel Blackboard - Sydney, Australia, 28 May 2008
The official mark of tourism sustainability in New Zealand, Qualmark, launched their new environmental criteria, Qualmark Green, at a breakfast for delegates to Trenz 2008 in Rotorua.

Southern tourism operators awards finalists
Otago Daily Times, 28 May 2008
Southern tourism operators figured prominently at the Tourism Industry Awards 2008 announced at the Trenz 2008 tourism conference in Rotorua yesterday. 

Cruize Milford rebrands
Southland Times, 28 May 2008
Cruize Milford is promoting its new look at this year's Trenz in Rotorua. 

New markets a tourism target: Trenz
Southland Times, 28 May 2008
Targeting new markets such as China was crucial in combating a downward trend in tourism numbers, media delegates at TRENZ 2008, New Zealand’s biggest annual tourism business event, were told yesterday. 

Initiative will help attract tourists
Southland Times, 28 May 2008
Keeping the tourists coming to New Zealand is the driver behind a new environmental criteria launched by Qualmark at a Trenz event in Rotorua yesterday. 

Kiwi Culture and History Keeping Visitor Numbers Afloat
fourcorners.co.nz, 27 May 2008
New Zealand’s unique culture and history is helping to keep visitor numbers to the country steady in these uncertain economic times, Tourism Industry Association (TIA) Chairman Norm Thompson said today. 

NZ plans tourism edge over Australia
The Age - Melbourne, Australia, 27 May 2008
New Zealand Environment Minister Damien O'Connor says a new scheme to rank tourism operators' green credentials will give his country the edge over Australia in attracting travellers from far-flung destinations.

Tour trade boss widens his horizons
New Zealand Herald, 27 May 2008
After six years of promoting Wellington tourism, Tim Cossar is leaving his love affair with the city behind him.

Tourism promos 'reap rewards'
Southaland Times, 27 May 2008
Marketing Southland to the world at the country's largest international trade show was starting to reap rewards, Venture Southland tourism and marketing manager Kathryn MacDonnell said yesterday.

Canty firms in nominations
The Press, 27 May 2008
Canterbury tourism firms have been included in a mix of "high-performing businesses" that are finalists in the 2008 Tourism Industry Awards.

Samuels says TRENZ the place to be for Maori in tourism
Waatea News Update, 26 May 2008
He may not be the associate minister of tourism any more, but Dover Samuels is still pushing the cause of Maori tourism.

Publisher caters for Chinese emerging wealthy
Otago Daily Times, 24 May 2008
A first-time visitor to Queenstown predicts China's emerging wealth will have a flow-on effect for New Zealand's luxury tour operators.

Tourism showcase for city
The Daily Post, 23 May 2008
Hundreds of travel agents, buyers and media from around the world are about to receive a big "kia ora" from Rotorua as they arrive for the tourism industry's showcase of the year.

Luxury on agenda of travel reps in Qtown
Southland Times, 23 May 2008
Regular tourism may be on the global downturn but the rich are travelling more than ever and New Zealand is seen as a perfect location for a luxury holiday.

Queenstown out to lure upmarket tourists
Southland Times – 22 May 2008
Top international luxury holiday buyers and travel writers from some of the world's most influential markets aer being lured by New Zealand's best in Queenstown this week.

Our laurels need to be greener
Sunday Star Times, 18 May 2008
Business is looking up for the tourism sector, our largest export earner. International visitors and accolades are pouring in.

Luxury tourism in spotlight
Southland Times, 17 May 2008
An exclusive group of New Zealand tourism operators will gather in Queenstown next week to showcase New Zealand's leading luxury travel experiences.

April 2008

More on the scourge that is the freedom camper (audio link)
RadioLIVE, 9 April 2008
The Tourism Industry Association of New Zealand is developing what it calls a “responsible freedom camping code”, to offer advice to visitors on respecting the environment and camping responsibly. Clive Geddes, Queenstown Mayor, followed by Fiona Luhrs ,Tourism Industry Association Chief Executive.

Freedom campers reminded of environmental cost
Stuff.co.nz, 7 April 2008
A new code is being developed emphasising respect for the environment and responsible camping.

March 2008

Tourist numbers plummet
New Zealand Herald, 30 March 2008
The number of foreigners visiting the region where two tourists have been sexually assaulted in the past 16 months has plummeted.

"Dirty, a dump, a rat invested disgrace" (audio link)
Radio New Zealand National, 26 March 2008
That’s how some of the country's hotels and motels have been described on popular hotel review websites.

Department to double staff
Southland Times, 14 March 2008
The Department of Labour is planning to double its staff in Queenstown to help push through work permit applications faster to ease labour shortages.

New Zealand rates high in tourism stakes
New Zealand Herald, 8 March 2008
New Zealand may have one of the best tourism industries in the world but there is still room for improvement, the Tourism Industry Association says.

New Zealand tourism's ranking takes a tumble, Oz moves on up
NZ Herald, 7 March 2008
New Zealand has become less competitive on a world index of travel and tourism over the past year - dropping five places to 19th out of 130 countries.

Carbon trade cost 'will sink tourism'
Dominion Post, 4 March 2008
The Government's rush to introduce emissions trading will sink "coal-face" tourism businesses, the tourism operators' association says

Tourist operators ask for govt cash to adjust to emission costs
National Business Review, 1 March 2008
A third key economic sector today asked the Government for special treatment as the proposed emissions trading scheme for greenhouse gases is introduced.

Fears emission plan will hit tourism sector
Southland Times, 3 March 2008
The Tourism Industry Association is worried the introduction of the Government's emission trading scheme will force small operators, already faced with slowing markets, out of business.

February 2008

Tourism Numbers Down (audio link)
Radio New Zealand National, 22 February 2008
Fewer tourists from the United States, the United Kingdom, Korea and Japan have been visiting NZ in recent months.

The selling of Paradise
New Zealand Herald, 18 February 2008
Every summer, the news-starved media expend a lot of usually fruitless effort trying to find out which celebrities are staying at which exclusive locations.

Backing for $8b tourism 'is just empty words'
Timaru Herald, 18 February 2008
The Government lauds an annual $8.3 billion in tourism export earnings but lacks the commitment to back the industry with serious funding, the head of the New Zealand Hotel Council says.

January 2008

Milford Rd plan draws mixed views
Southland Times, 18 January 2008
Milford Road should be closed to all independent travellers and coaches should be used to take sightseers into Milford Sound, one Te Anau hotellier said yesterday.

Freedom campers cause big stink
Southland Times, 16 January 2008
Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Clive Geddes has fired a salvo at tourists sleeping in vans and cars that do not have toilets and wants the vehicles banned.

Bid to clean up camping
The Press, 16 January 2008
Pressure is growing for a national solution to the problem of freedom campers polluting New Zealand's beauty spots.

Tourism industry facing mixed year
New Zealand Herald, 10 January 2008
The tourism season got off to a slow start late last year and commentators are predicting a mixed year ahead with the high New Zealand dollar putting added pressure on an industry already worried about seasonality and sustainability issues.