Tourism Making Huge Contribution to NZ – Snedden
June 18, 2012Tourism is a strong, vibrant industry that will meet and overcome the short-term challenges it is currently facing, new Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) Chief Executive Martin Snedden says.
The former Rugby World Cup 2011 chief takes up his new role with TIA today.
“In the last 12 years, tourism export earnings have doubled from $5 billion to almost $10 billion. In the last four years, tourism has twice been New Zealand’s number one export earner,” Mr Snedden says.
“This is an industry where the spend by our domestic travellers and international visitors amounts to a whopping $63 million every day of the year. And it supports the jobs of one in ten New Zealanders.
“This industry is a critical component of New Zealand’s economy. We face plenty of challenges at present, as do most other sectors, but we have proven in the past that we are strong and robust enough to handle difficult conditions.”
Mr Snedden says he was attracted to the tourism industry because of its importance to New Zealand, and because of the many creative and talented people contributing to its success.
