Tourism and Hospitality

The tourism and hospitality industry covers the range of products and services that cater for domestic and international holidaymakers and leisure-seekers – from transport and accommodation to restaurants, fun parks and health retreats.

New Zealand is internationally renowned for its landscape, culture, and adventure activities. International visitors come to New Zealand to experience the unpolluted air and water, open spaces and unique flora and fauna. Over the last decade, New Zealand’s popularity as a tourist destination has increased greatly and this popularity is expected to continue. In 2006, 2.4 million international visitors were welcomed to New Zealand and this number is expected to reach 3 million by 2010.

This sector has expanded significantly in recent decades due to a range of factors, including:

  • Strong economic growth means New Zealanders have more income to spend on travel, eating out and entertainment
  • New Zealand’s increasing popularity as an international tourist destination
  • Cultural and social changes resulting in people spending more time socialising at cafes, restaurants and bars with friends and family
  • An increase in the number of festivals and sporting events throughout New Zealand which encourages people to travel
  • Decreasing impact of seasonality (so demand remaining more constant through the year)
  • Growth in the number of visitors from Australia and other neighbouring countries

‘Niche tourism’ is a growing area, with services providers increasingly catering for a specific ‘type’ or experience – i.e. eco-tourism, wine tours, pup-culture, sport, adventure, and shopping.

Degrees in tourism provide students with background knowledge of the industry and transferable skills that can be applied in a range of fields. Most graduates initially work in assistant roles, but with relevant qualifications, skills and industry experience there are good opportunities to move into higher-level positions.

Outlook

The demand for workers in the hospitality industry is growing because of the above trends. To cater for this growth in visitor numbers, it is projected that the tourism industry will require an extra 100,000 people by 2010 (Source: New Zealand Tourism Strategy, 2010).

Occupations and career pathways in the tourism and hospitality industry include:

  • Travel consultant
  • Catering Manager
  • Tour Guide
  • Promotions Officer
  • Event Coordinator
Significant stats
  • In 2006, 108,000 full-time equivalent employees were employed in tourism.
  • In the year to March 2006, tourists spent $18.6 billion in New Zealand.
  • International visitor numbers to New Zealand continue to rise, with over 168,000 short term arrivals in September 2007 setting a new record.

Statistics sources: www.tourismnewzealand.com, Tourism Industry Association, Statistics New Zealand

Except where indicated, this profile is based on edited extracts from www.careers.govt.nz and “Career View: Tourism”, published by Career Development and Employment, Victoria University of Wellington.