A new online programme to enable tourism businesses, Akiaki – Advancing Tourism, has been launched by the tourism industry’s leading representative body.
Tourism Industry Aotearoa said the programme was a response to a clear call from tourism operators to continue to build their capability, particularly around sustainability.
Speaking at the industry’s biggest annual business event TRENZ, TIA chief executive Rebecca Ingram said it was crucial that tourism in Aotearoa New Zealand developed “by design”.
“Bouncing back to 2019’ is not part of our vernacular. Rather, we are focused on purposefully creating a resilient and sustainable industry that delivers for the country, our people, our environment and the visitor,” she said.
Equipping tourism businesses is a key goal of Tourism 2050: A Blueprint for Impact, a 30-year industry strategy launched by TIA late last year. There are 1900 tourism businesses signed up to the Tourism Sustainability Commitment (TSC), created by TIA in 2017.
A recent survey of TSC signatories showed 92 percent were committed to advancing sustainability in their business, and there was a clear desire for online capability-building tools to help further progress their sustainability initiatives.
A recent survey of TSC signatories showed 92 percent were committed to advancing sustainability in their business, and there was a clear desire for online capability-building tools to help further progress their sustainability initiatives.
“Akiaki encapsulates the concepts of encouragement and courage. These are values essential for navigating the challenges of the future and leading the way in sustainable tourism globally,” said Ingram.
“By making it easier for businesses to upskill, we are designing tourism for the future and taking the Blueprint from a document in a drawer - to the real world.”
Akiaki - Advancing Tourism is available for all TIA members, with modules to be rolled out from the middle of this year.
To read more local news, click here.
