ITOC Supports Push For Better Partnership

10 September 2008

ITOC Supports Push For Better Government Partnership With Tourism Industry

The Inbound Tour Operators Council (ITOC) has given its full support to today’s launch of the Tourism Industry Election Manifesto by the Tourism Industry Association (TIA).

Paul Yeo, chief executive of ITOC said: “Various governments over the years have not always given the tourism industry the support it deserves. This is probably the first time we as an industry have coherently voiced why we should be taken seriously in language any politician can understand – an industry that delivers value to government and prosperity to voters in every electorate in the country.”

Mr Yeo said the Manifesto was short, sharp and easy to understand.

“That’s just what we need to rise above the noise in an election year,” said Mr Yeo.

“The plan sets out six objectives which are clearly our industry’s top priorities and we fully support all of them. We are particularly pleased to see increased marketing for Destination New Zealand as one of these. Inbound tour operators are at the forefront of developing new markets but they do so without the public sector investment that could really make the difference. Our competitiveness in this area is declining as other destinations clearly see the value in public-private joint ventures that gives them an advantage. ”

Mr Yeo said: “Part of the reason government has not always supported us as well as we’d like is that we have sometimes struggled to effectively communicate what we want out of them. Having separate tourism organisations looking after the interests of their diverse sub-sectors can be very effective in dealing with complex micro issues but not always useful when it comes to communicating big picture strategies.”

“What we’ve achieved here is a simple six point plan that everyone in the tourism industry can understand and support. I believe that government wants to see an industry committed to a concerted course of action and in the past we haven’t done ourselves any favours by sometimes clouding the issues and not speaking with one voice.”

The ITOC CEO said the Tourism Industry Association should be congratulated on putting together a document that all candidates standing for election should be encouraged to read.

“This will certainly aid us in not only informing the incoming government but also in getting our industry to work better and smarter together for our own aims and objectives.”

ENDS

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