Chris Roberts, chief executive of Tourism Industry Aotearoa. Photo / Jason Oxenham
What is 2018 looking like for your business?
Most operators are very positive about the summer but the rest of the year is harder to predict. There are no big events like this year's Lions Tour to give an off-peak boost. Global factors like oil prices, exchange rates and conflict
can have big impacts on travel. However, New Zealand remains a popular destination providing a high-quality experience and if our economy remains good, domestic tourism should continue to grow.
How is that different to 2017? How has the last year been for your business?
2017 was the fourth year in a row of strong growth. The contribution of tourism to the New Zealand economy has risen from $27b a year to $36b a year. As an industry we are now firmly focused on managing the challenges of that growth. In November, TIA released the Tourism Sustainability Commitment www.sustainabletourism.nz and we are encouraging all tourism businesses to sign up. Together we can achieve our ambitious economic goals while sharing the benefits with supportive communities, contributing to protecting and enhancing our natural environment, and continuing to be a high quality destination of choice for domestic and international travellers.
What are the issues affecting your industry in the next 12 months?
