Tourism targets forecast 12,000 new jobs in Auckland

Photo / Doug Sherring

New tourism targets for Auckland have forecast the creation of 12,000 new jobs by 2021.

Mayor Len Brown said the city's visitor economy was booming and plans were in place to expand from a $4.8 billion industry in 2012 to $7.2 billion in 2021 - representing 50 per cent growth per annum.

Auckland's previous 10-year visitor plan, released by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) in 2011, was to grow the visitor economy from $3.3 billion in 2010 for $6 billion annually in 2021.

"Auckland is on track to becoming the world's most liveable city," Mr Brown said.

"The visitor economy plays a critical role in Auckland's economic growth, by 2021 the industry's annual injection of $7.2 billion will help to make Auckland a better place to live and work as well as a better place to visit.

"The projected growth will have significant implications for tourism related infrastructure and capacity and provides a series of economic opportunities for other industries including food and beverage, marine, and equine.

"Achieving the Auckland Visitor Plan targets would create 12,000 new jobs in Auckland, many of which will provide front-line career opportunities in retail, attractions and hospitality as well as in the construction sector to enable the development of vital new infrastructure, such as hotels."

ATEED chief executive Brett O'Riley said over the next decade it was estimated that Auckland's inbound air capacity will need to grow by around 200,000 seats per year and Auckland will need up to 3400 new hotel rooms by 2021.

The announcement comes as Auckland hosts 300 international travel and tourism buyers for New Zealand's major tourism trade show, TRENZ - held from today until Wednesday.