New future of NZ tourism addressed by taskforce

The Tourism Futures Taskforce Report, We Are Aotearoa, lays out how the tourism system could change for a better and sustainable tourism future. Photo: Supplied.

A report that looks to the future of New Zealand tourism beyond COVID-19 recommends a government-led supply management system be created.

The Tourism Futures Taskforce Report ‘We Are Aotearoa' lays out how the tourism system could change for a better and sustainable tourism future, say taskforce co-chairs Steve Chadwick and Grant Webster.

'We formed the taskforce at the request of the former Tourism Minister to look at the future of tourism in New Zealand Aotearoa,” says Chadwick.

'The report looks to the future beyond COVID-19 as that was our mandate. As we've seen, and operators have experienced, COVID-19 has dealt a devastating blow for the tourism system. It has also provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to overhaul the system which is fundamental to transform the visitor economy,” says Webster.

Both co-chairs agree that that pressures from visitor growth over the past ten years need to be addressed to ensure tourism keeps its social licence and truly contributes to New Zealand's wellbeing.

The taskforce believes the future visitor economy must be regenerative and resilient. As well as delivering across social, cultural, environmental and economic well-beings, it would also need to contribute to the unique essence, culture and health of local communities and their places, and be enriched by the values of Te Ao Maori.

'Across the industry, there is a strong desire, and willingness, for a more sustainable tourism industry, and this theme is also conveyed across reports from the Climate Commission and the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment,” says Chadwick.

'The mahi of our taskforce colleagues has been exemplary. While we have different backgrounds we came together and worked as one, identifying how the industry could change for the better. We acknowledge the immense input of the advisory group who supported us through this work.

'We greatly appreciate the people who gave up their time for us in the course of this preparing this report, including those who took the time to write contributions with their views,” says Chadwick.

'Having delivered our report in December, there is now an opportunity for the taskforce to enter a new phase, given the ongoing nature of the COVID-19 disruption faced by the tourism sector,” says Webster.

Read the Tourism Futures Taskforce report at: We Are Aotearoa

You may also like....

0 comments

Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.