Having managed a travel agency, worked as an inbound tour operator in the UK, and held positions in central government and the Beehive, TIA Policy Manager Simon Wallace is well positioned to understand how government policies can impact on tourism operators.

“I came into this job having had both industry experience and a good understanding of how government processes work. This background has been important for my ability to understand operators' needs and negotiate key policy changes on their behalf,” Mr Wallace says. 

Looking back on his time at TIA, Mr Wallace recalls a number of policy decisions which the TIA team have successfully influenced.

TIA makes about 20 submissions a year to central and local government authorities on issues that are important to tourism operators and the tourism industry.

In 2007 TIA lodged a submission on the Local Government Rates Inquiry and was successful in campaigning against travel taxes being introduced to fund the Rugby World Cup Stadium.

TIA also consulted with the Food Safety Authority over a number of years on proposed new hygiene standards which would have affected most tourism operators including bed-and-breakfast providers, tour operators, the larger motel and hotel chains, and others who provide food and beverages.

“If these changes had been introduced, operators could have faced costly and onerous compliance issues around food safety and hygiene, and some of the proposals just weren’t realistic for the size of the establishments or the types of businesses,” Mr Wallace says.

“We consulted with our Members and found that, in fact, a number of tourism businesses belonged to associations that already had a range of standards in place. This meant that the need for changes was significantly less that what the Food Safety Authority had originally assumed.

“The Food Safety Authority listened to our concerns and worked with us to refine a more practical policy approach, which still ensured that critically important food safety standards are in place.”

TIA also made submissions on government plans in 2007 to extend daylight saving. This lengthened the peak summer season for tourism operators by three weeks.

Key issues coming up in 2008 include:

1. working with the Department of Labour on immigration work to residence policies
2. making submissions on the need for improved cruise ship port facilities in Auckland and nationally
3. facilitating the National Freedom Camping Forum
4. continuing to work with the Department of Conservation (DOC) on the allocation of concessions when demand exceeds supply
5. submitting regularly on DOC national park management plans and conservation management strategies.
   
   

TIA’s advocacy work relies heavily on regular communication with Members who tell us what their concerns are so we can help them to address these, Mr Wallace says.

“The submission process is such an important part of the whole democratic process. If our industry doesn’t stand up for itself, we won’t get our views heard on important issues that affect the industry and operators.”

TIA has responded to several proposals around differential rating and targeted rating by local government, which would have had a detrimental impact on tourism businesses. 

“We joined the campaign with local operators to save the Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) in Hurunui; we campaigned against targeted rating in Kapiti and, only a few weeks ago, we supported our Member Sealink in their submission to the Auckland Regional Council on planned changes at the Viaduct Basin.

“For all of these campaigns, it wasn’t just TIA’s effort – it was a combined effort of TIA working with Members.”

• Get in touch. If there is an advocacy issue you need help with, don’t hesitate to come to TIA.
• Keep an eye out for T-Mail each Friday because this will keep you informed about issues that could affect your business.
• Invite local MPs and Ministers to your events to help raise tourism’s profile and keep key decision makers in touch with what’s real and important to tourism businesses in your area.
• Make your own submissions. TIA can assist and advise on how to write a submission and what information needs to be included.