New Tourism Markets
Published in Inside Tourism, Issue 923, 4 April 2013
The PM's recent visit to Latin America was intended to garner support for a place on the UN Security Council and for the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and further economic development and co-operation. However it is unclear how the TPP (or any trade agreement) is likely to enhance tourism.
According to the Department of Labour (now Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment) the tourism sector employs one out of ten people in the workforce. Spending by tourists contributed $9.7 billion to our economy to the year to 31 March 2011. Tourism generated $1.7 billon in GST revenue and adds $36 million per day to our economy. It is an important industry, with the potential for further growth through new markets.