Tourism industry, government and research leaders are set to gather for the annual Otago Tourism Policy School in Queenstown this week to problem-solve how to resource New Zealand’s tourism system.

Demand from key tourism stakeholders to attend this year’s forum, organised by the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka’s Department of Tourism, is the highest since the annual event began seven years ago.

The Tourism Policy School offers an opportunity to bring together key stakeholders and experts who aren’t usually in the same room together to find solutions to systemic tourism issues.

Over two days, stakeholders and policymakers will discuss issues such as resourcing tourism on conservation land, private-public partnerships, user-pays models, and what New Zealand can learn from overseas tourism systems

School co-director associate professor Susan Houge Mackenzie said the current system is insufficiently resourced, and regional tourism organisations want to see national leadership help enable regional destination management plans and initiatives.

The previous government had encouraged regional tourism organisations and tourism stakeholders to ‘reset’ tourism by focusing on regenerative tourism and how tourism could better serve communities beyond economic benefits, she said.

“There has been a significant shift under the current government, which wants to double exports.

“As a major export earner for New Zealand, tourism is seen as a significant contributor to this growth target, with a focus on growing off-peak international travel.”

Queenstown, home of the Tourism Policy School, can be seen as a microcosm for the tourism industry, with urgent infrastructure and resourcing issues, Susan said.

“Anyone who lives there will tell you these are urgent issues that need to be addressed.”

Guest speakers from Ireland, Scotland and the United States will be sharing innovative resourcing and funding models used overseas, and the new Minister for Tourism and Hospitality (Louise Upston) will attend the event.

The 2025 Otago Tourism Policy School will take place from April 3-4 in Queenstown.

PHOTO: Wānaka App