Two chances to take part in tourism summits

New Zealand Tourism Industry Association chief executive Chris Roberts, left, shows Prime Minister John Key around TRENZ. Photo / Stephen Parker

Registrations are open for the 2015 Regional Tourism summit, which will see local operators come face-to-face with industry leaders.

The Tourism Industry Association will be taking the one-day events to 13 locations across the country during July and August, and will visit Taupo on July 21 at Wairakei Resort.

Tourism operators attending each roadshow will have the opportunity to find out how the industry is tracking against the $41 billion aspirational goal set by Tourism 2025. They will also have a chance to tell the association directly about the issues, challenges and opportunities facing their businesses and regions.

There will also be practical presentations from Westpac, Lane Neave Lawyers and ServiceIQ to help operators consistently deliver an outstanding visitor experience, run an efficient business and comply with new health and safety legislation.

Association communications manager Ann-Marie Johnston encouraged Rotorua operators to attend a summit series.

"Rotorua operators have the choice of attending either the Taupo or Hamilton summit or, if they are unable to attend, they are welcome to feed their thoughts about challenges and opportunities for the tourism industry directly to TIA or to Rotorua Tourism Marketing."

She said the summit could come to Rotorua in future and Rotorua's hosting of Trenz earlier this year did not influence the decision to hold the summit in Taupo.

"Unfortunately, we can't get to every town, so we have tried to spread our locations as widely as possible with the aim of engaging a large number of tourism operators around the country."

Association chief executive Chris Roberts said information gathered would be used to develop the agenda for its National Tourism summit in Wellington on November 19.

For more details www.regionaltourismsummits.co.nz