Tourism Industry Aotearoa and Hospitality New Zealand have both expressed support for the incoming Minister of Tourism, Stuart Nash.
Both organisations have expressed satisfaction that the tourism portfolio has stayed with a senior Minister .
“Tourism was the first industry to be hit by the Covid -19 pandemic and will be the last to recover. This requires a team effort and we look forward to working with Mr Nash to build a sustainable tourism industry that benefits New Zealanders,” Chris Roberts, CEO of TIA told Hospitality Business.
Julie White, CEO of Hospitality New Zealand agreed, adding; ” Pre COVID-19 the hospitality industry generated $11billion and employed 170,000 people. The industry has been one of the first and hardest hit and with the experience of Minister Stuart Nash, we need to work together to co-design a stronger and more sustainable industry post COVID.”
TIA has already submitted a 100 Day Plan for the new government and will be looking to discuss this with Mr Nash as soon as possible, along with its Tourism Election 2020 Action Plan and submission to the Tourism Futures Taskforce.
TIA has invited Mr Nash to speak at the Tourism Summit Aotearoa in Wellington on November 17, which will be his first significant opportunity to address a tourism industry audience.
“It is also pleasing that Peeni Henare has retained his role as Associate Minister of Tourism. Tourism is a big portfolio and we know from experience that there is plenty of work for an associate minister to support the Tourism Minister,” Mr Roberts said.
