BUSINESS CLASS - Sunday on TV3 at 12.30pm

October 14 2004

BUSINESS CLASS looks at how the skills shortage is impacting tourism
Sunday on TV3 at 12.30pm

The shortage of skilled workers is affecting many sectors and the fast-growing tourism industry is no exception. This Sunday's episode of Business Class looks at how the shortage is seriously impacting tourism and industry leaders comment on what might be done about it, including paying higher wages and offering better career prospects.

Business Class, the TV programme that goes behind the scenes in the tourism industry, screens on TV3 on Sunday afternoon at 12.30pm.

This week's Korero segment, which looks at Maori tourism businesses, shows that Maurice Manawatu's Maori Tours operation in Kaikoura is more than a walk in the bush - it's also a face-to-face encounter with local history and tikanga (Maori customs and tradition).

Virtually 10 years before The Lord Of The Rings (LOTR) came to town, David and Amanda Gatward-Ferguson arrived in Queenstown and decided the scenery was perfect for Middle Earth. They also decided to go into tourism, purchasing a 4WD safaris operation and a few years later bought out their rival to form their highly successful company, Nomad. This week Business Class's Showcase segment looks at how the couple learnt fast, how Nomad constantly strives for the highest standards and how LOTR has driven enormous business growth.

The programme's Business Briefing segment this week features the importance of measuring customer satisfaction and different ways to obtain valuable feedback. Among the industry leaders interviewed is Sky City's General Manager Marketing, Jill Birch, who says identifying the wow factors provides a business with competitive advantage. She adds "celebrate the good things and change the things that need to be changed".

Business Class is produced by Fresh Media and screened on TV3 at 12.30pm on Sundays. It is also available on www.businessclass.co.nz

ENDS

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