The Backpacker, Youth and Adventure Travel Association (BYATA)
is Tourism New Zealand's key strategic partner and communication
channel for the sector.
BYATA has approximately 60 member organisations, from the big
players through to mum and dad businesses of which Tourism New
Zealand is a co-opted member and holds a seat on the board.
BYATA's key role is one of advocacy for the benefit of its
members and has core activities focused around communication of
opportunities from and to members and relationships with other key
bodies like TIA and Immigration New Zealand to ensure the sector's
voice is heard in the right channels at the right times and in the
right ways to effect change.
Tourism New Zealand developed the youth strategy in conjunction
with BYATA and meet regularly to sense check and refine the overall
approach. This has proved extremely valuable in identifying the
issues and opportunities and there is a very strong and trusted two
way dialogue between both organistaions.
We also use BYATA as a communication channel and a partner to
inform the sector of any opportunities to become involved with
either joint or Tourism New Zealand only youth related
activity.
Some examples include:
- Stories Beat Stuff
- WYSTC - held in Barcelona in 2011, 2012 in San Diego and will
be attending again (joint)
- Australian Roadshows (joint)
- Content projects such as Bears With Guns
To find out more about BYATA and to enquire about becoming a
member, check out www.byata.org.nz