Tourism research initiative launched
The Minister of Tourism Mark Burton has today announced the
establishment of a key research programme to greatly enhance
the provision of tourism research, information and
forecasting in New Zealand.
Mr Burton was speaking at
Tourism Rendezvous New Zealand (TRENZ) in
Christchurch.
“The programme, to be called the Tourism
Research and Forecasting Clearinghouse, will ensure that the
tourism industry is equipped with the full suite of
authoritative and credible information that it needs to
ensure the sector’s ongoing prosperity.
“The stakes are
very high, Mr Burton said. “Tourism is New Zealand’s largest
single export earner and it is essential that
decision-making affecting tourism is undertaken in an
informed manner.
“Tourism is a powerful driver of
economic activity nationally and it is growing rapidly. We
need to understand the sector better so we can realise its
immense potential while ensuring that it enhances, rather
than degrades, those social, cultural and environmental
resources upon which it is based.
“The Tourism Research
and Forecasting Clearinghouse is a programme that is
overseen by a user-driven Council with secretariat support
provided by the Office of Tourism and Sport. It will
operate by capitalising on the existing resources and
talents to drive the sector-wide programme.”
The
Clearinghouse Council, which Mr Burton is in the process of
establishing, will have both public and private sector
membership, which reflects the Government’s commitment to
undertaking key initiatives in partnership with the tourism
industry.
ENDS