A key factor in a successful recovery of tourism in New Zealand post pandemic is having enough of the right people in the right place at the right time. Recovery of the tourism workforce requires action on many fronts, including to ensure that:
- New Zealanders who previously worked in tourism are choosing to return to the industry.
- There is a healthy working holiday workforce that can support the industry over the summer peak and have the dual benefit of also being visitors.
- Tourism employers to be providing quality employment, including paying a fair wage, good working conditions and providing upskilling opportunities. TIA advocates that all tourism businesses strive to be ‘Employers of Choice’ (TSC Commitment 7).
- There is strong interest from the next generation in a career in tourism that translates into study, thereby ensuring a pipeline of skilled workers and future tourism leaders.
- There are well-supported and well-funded tourism training organisations.
- There is a longer-term view on the future workforce requirements of the industry
TIA is monitoring how TIA members are finding their immediate workforce situation and the challenges they face through its Workforce and Industry Readiness Survey. The survey will be conducted quarterly at least for the next year.
TIA supports the work of the Tourism ITP Better Work stream considering that it will, if implemented well, advance the quality of employment across the tourism industry.
TIA has submitted on key workforce initiatives including the Fair Pay Agreement Bill, Draft NCEA Tourism Curriculum, and the Seasonal Snow and Adventure Tourism Sector Agreement.
Recent submissions
- September 2022: TIA submission on 2022 Minimum Wage Review
- September 2022: TIA submission on He Mahere Tiaki Kaimahi - Draft Better Work Action Plan
- August 2022: Feedback on Level 2/Year 12 Proposed Tourism Curriculum
- June 2022: TIA submission on the Seasonal Snow and Adventure Tourism Sector Agreement Consultation
- May 2022: TIA submission on the Fair Pay Agreements Bill
- September 2021: Letter of feedback to the New Zealand Productivity Commission | Te Komihana Whai Hua
- October 2021: Minimum Wage Review
- June 2021: Submission to NZQA on Consultation on simplifying New Zealand qualifications and other credentials
- January 2021: New Zealand Curriculum: Proposed subjects for NCEA Levels 2 and 3
