Tourism industry cohesion and connection is the primary focus of next week’s University of Otago Tourism Policy School.
The sixth annual policy school, hosted by the Otago Business School’s tourism department, will be held at Heritage Queenstown on March 21 and 22.
It aims to "connect the dots" within the tourism industry.
School co-director Associate Prof Susan Houge Mackenzie expected this year’s policy school would continue to foster conversations between people at all levels of the industry, from business owners and community leaders to policymakers and researchers.
"[The school] brings together groups of people who wouldn’t necessarily be in the room together to talk about big policy issues," she said.
"A key focus is, after the recent industry disruptions, how can we move forward cohesively in a positive way."
There had been discussion about the need for more unanimity across the industry and related sectors, including regions which were implementing destination management plans.
The industry relied on a range of "different actors and agencies" at local, regional and national levels, "so the more connection we can create among them, the better", she said.
"The overall goal is to help connect all these different entities in the tourism sector and help drive policy in a direction that’s positive over the long term."
Guest speakers include Tourism Minister Matt Doocey, Regional Tourism New Zealand destination management director Kiri Goulter, Tourism Industry Aotearoa strategy and policy chief adviser Bruce Bassett, Hamish Flanagan, of the Office of the Auditor-General, Hospitality New Zealand chief executive Steve Armitage and Central Otago District Council community vision group manager Dylan Rushbrook.
The policy school includes a free public lecture, on March 21 at 5pm, from Milford Opportunities chairwoman Jenn Bestwick.
