The NZ Tourism Strategy 2015

Last Updated on: 23 November 2009

The New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2015 sets out a vision for tourism as a leading contributor to a sustainable New Zealand economy.

New Zealand's 100% Pure New Zealand brand has given our tourism industry a head start. It has helped define how our country and exports are perceived internationally and given us a reputation as a sustainable, environmentally, socially and economically responsible destination.

Living up to that reputation and planning ahead are vital to the continued growth of tourism in New Zealand.

The New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2015 sets out a vision for tourism as a leading contributor to a sustainable New Zealand economy. Jointly developed by Tourism New Zealand, the Tourism Industry Association and New Zealand Ministry of Tourism, it provides a roadmap that will help guide the tourism industry in its future growth.

The strategy also sets some benchmarks on how tourism can help improve and protect New Zealand's cultural, natural and social environments. The future of tourism depends on all of these aspects, as they are all part of a New Zealand holiday and essential to delivering the kinds of experiences we promise through the 100% Pure New Zealand campaign.

The Strategy has two Māori principles at its core: kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and manaakitanga (hospitality). Together these two principles provide a foundation for a sustainable approach to tourism.

Weaving these two principals through what we do in the tourism industry provides the basis for an authentic and uniquely New Zealand approach to sustainability. New Zealanders are already renowned for their friendliness and hospitality. Our challenge is to continue to provide hospitality to growing numbers of visitors while protecting and developing our communities, culture and natural environment.

 

Kaitiakitanga - Guardianship, care and protection of resources for current and future generations. This means managing natural, cultural and man-made resources in a sustainable manner.
Manaakitanga - Implies the responsibility of the host and offers an invitation to a visitor to experience the best of what we have to offer. It implies a warm welcome and mutual respect on behalf of both visitor and host.

What does a sustainable tourism industry mean?

  • Visitors will want to travel here for the unique experiences New Zealand offers, they will enjoy New Zealand once they get here, and they will go home recommending it to others
  • Tourism businesses will be financially profitable, able to reinvest in their businesses, and attract and retain the skilled workers they need
  • The natural environment will be protected and enhanced, and tourism businesses will be committed to minimising the environmental impacts of their operations, ensuring our core tourism product - our environment - will be retained for future generations
  • The tourism industry and local communities will work together for mutual benefit

These are the goals set out in the New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2015, a document that has been revised several times since original publication in 2001.

A sustainable tourism industry requires us to achieve a balance between running financially-viable businesses, satisfying our customers, protecting our natural and physical environments, and supporting our communities.

These goals cannot be achieved in isolation. The tourism industry is so intimately woven into New Zealand's economy and across New Zealand's communities that it is very important for agencies, operators and organisations to work together to achieve the vision of the strategy.

Tourism New Zealand supports a number of these goals through our involvement in Qualmark, Māori tourism, and through our partnerships with local and central Government in projects that promote economic growth and environmentally-sustainable practices and policies.

Read more about the New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2015.
Visit: www.nztourismstrategy.com

Find out more about our involvement in the Developing Tourism and Responsible Tourism sections of this website.


In 2015, tourism is valued as the leading contributor to a sustainable New Zealand economy."

The vision for tourism set out in the New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2015.