TECNZ

50 Years of Bringing Visitors to NZ

COVER PAGE Index

Acknowledgements 01

Acronyms 01

Foreword 02

Introduction 03

Excerpt from The First 25 Years: The Club was formed 04

Inbound Tour Wholesalers (ITW) NZ Emerges 05

Insights from Peter Lowry, ITOC’s first Chief Executive 07

Insights from 2001 to 2021 08

Global Travel Changes in 2020 09

Five Decade Timeline 10

Reflections from Chief Executives 18

Presidents / Chair, Life Members 19

Member Accomplishments 22

YTEC Chair and Excellence Award Winners 23

Young TEC 24 Acknowledgements Acronym List

This publication was commissioned by the Tourism Export Council of (TECNZ) to commemorate 50 years of marketing New Zealand to NZTP New Zealand Tourist & Publicity Department the world and bringing in international visitors from 1971 to 2021. The Board wishes to thank Stuart Neels (Board member 15 years and former THC Tourist Hotel Corporation Chair ITOC 2004-2007) and Lesley Immink (former CEO 2011-2017) for their invaluable assistance in the preparation of this 50th publication. NZGTB New Zealand Government Tourist Bureau

We also wish to acknowledge the writers and contributors of ITOC’s The First 25 Years NZTB New Zealand Tourism Board (1991) publication authored by Anthony D Glanville and Executive Director Peter Lowry with help received from former President and Board members: David Napier, Russell White, Keith NZMT New Zealand Māori Tourism Johnston, Michael Wiedemann, David Williams, Barry Doody, Paul O’Ryan, Colin Ellis, Blair Sheehy, Warren and George Harford. Acknowledgement is also given to Tomahawk for their TNZ Tourism New Zealand contribution to its production. ITW Inbound Tour Wholesalers (NZ)

ITOC Inbound Tour Operators Committee

ITOC Inbound Tour Operators Council

TIF Tourism Industry Federation (became TIA)

BCA Bus and Coach Association

TECNZ Tourism Export Council of New Zealand

TAANZ Travel Agents Association of New Zealand

TIA Tourism Industry Association (became Aotearoa)

Back row left to right: Geoff Yee, John Gregory, Zac Watson (YTEC Chair), Brendan Davies, Adele Marsden, Tim RTONZ Regional Tourism Organisations New Zealand (became RTNZ) Reid, Scott Mehrtens (ITO Vice-Chair), Loren Heaphy, Jake Downing (Vice-Chair Allied), Mark Badland Front row left to right: Wendy van Lieshout, Lynda Keene (TECNZ CEO), Anna Black (TECNZ Chair), Ben Thornton

01 Foreword

In recent years, the New Zealand tourism industry, including TECNZ members, have demonstrated agility in adapting to travel disruptions caused by a number of challenging I am delighted to be a part of celebrating events, like the 2001 terror attack in New York, the 2003 SARs outbreak, the 2010 Icelandic Tourism Export Council of New Zealand’s volcano eruption, the impact of the 2007-2010 Global Financial Crisis, and the Canterbury (TECNZ) celebration of fifty years of and Kaikōura earthquakes. The strategies of ITOs during these times helped the tourism achievements. sector to face challenges and seize resulting opportunities.

Currently, the significant impact of COVID-19 is presenting remarkable challenges for tourism. Our Government has provided an unprecedented level of support to the tourism sector I would like to thank TECNZ and its members for their role in marketing New Zealand to the including a dedicated package for many ITOs. world and bringing international visitors to Aotearoa. I recognise that their hard work and perseverance has made a major contribution to enhancing New Zealand’s global brand as Responding to the challenge of closed borders, many ITOs have adapted their businesses. The one of the most desired visitor destinations. industry has proven itself to be resilient at recovering from past adverse events and I have no doubt that TECNZ and its members will respond to the current challenge with the same Over the past 50 years, Inbound Tour Operators (ITOs) have played a significant, strategic approach as they have in the past. role in growing the tourism industry and making a positive contribution to our economy and communities. Congratulations TECNZ for celebrating 50 years of operating and for its many achievements. Thank you for your contribution to New Zealand’s economy and communities. I look forward to During the 30 years from 1971-2001, ITOs grew to become an important voice in the tourism working with you to reconnect New Zealand to the world and elevate Brand New Zealand, so industry. They helped to lead the opening up and expansion of significant visitor markets, that New Zealand is seen as one of the most aspirational travel destinations. such as North America, the , Europe and Japan. In the late 1990s, ITOs played a key role in helping to diversify the New Zealand tourism base, by building visitation Yours sincerely, from emerging markets that have since grown into some of our most significant sources of visitors, including China and India.

As opportunities grew, the inbound tour sector implemented initiatives to ensure the sector was regarded as highly credible and professional. The inbound sector began working with airlines, Tourism New Zealand and other national organisations to ensure integrity was at the forefront of their activities.

02 Introduction

The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ) is delighted to wholesalers and agents. ITOs package up NZ to make it easy for agents to sell and visitors to present this publication as a brief summary of fifty years that the inbound purchase itineraries around New Zealand. tourism sector has been operating in New Zealand. There were many challenges over the first three decades. Most of the challenges were around The organisation established in 1971 was originally called the Inbound Tour Wholesalers attaining Government’s acknowledgment that tourism receipts generated by international (ITW) of NZ. In 1975 it was renamed the Inbound Tour Operators Committee (ITOC) and visitors were critical to a growing economy, and that the inbound sector needed a little bit subsequently in 1978 the word Committee was changed to Council. In 2006 another name of assistance to capitalize on the growth potential of international tourism, mainly in the change to NZ Inbound occurred whilst still operating as the Inbound Tour Operators Council. legislative area. e.g. in the 1970s accommodation allotments, in the 1980s when GST was introduced ITOs asked to have the facilitation fee paid for bringing in international visitors to In 2012, the organisation was rebranded as the Tourism Export Council of New Zealand be zero-rated like other export sectors, in the 1990s tour guide visas were a key issue and (TECNZ). This was done to align with a name change that the Inbound Tour Operators through the 2000s, ongoing issues with ITOs trying to access export marketing grants like Australia (ITOA) made to become the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) in 2000, to other export sectors could, and zero-rating of GST on ITO facilitation fees again… highlight to government the value tourism has as an export industry. In 2012 the Board felt this was a prudent strategy to take and in the COVID-19 environment, having the word ‘export’ The following pages depict the early days and formation of our organisation. We hope you in the organisation’s name has helped the extensive lobbying that has been needed to enjoy reading its history, key events, issues, challenges and activities, and reflect on how highlight the role of Inbound Tour Operators (ITOs) with NZ’s international tourism recovery. international tourism has evolved over the past fifty years.

The organisation had no formal secretariat until 1979 when Peter Lowry was appointed as its first Chief Executive. This highlights the role that founding members and subsequent Board members played in establishing a strong foundation for the organisation and its role with growing international tourism. ITOC also has had a close relationship with the Travel Agents Association of New Zealand (TAANZ) from 1979 through to 2011. Twice merging organisations during this period and twice separating.

TECNZ, has been integral in marketing New Zealand offshore and bringing international visitors to NZ from all corners of the world. The organisation has worked closely with government tourism and marketing agencies across the decades (Tourism New Zealand). The role of the national tourism organisation is to promote New Zealand as a desirable destination to visit. The role of Inbound Tour Operators is to act as the commercial conduit between NZ tourism suppliers (accommodation, transport and activity/attraction businesses) and offshore

03 Excerpt from The First 25 Years: The Club was formed…

The 1970s had dawned. New Zealand was being discovered slowly by companies viewed these conferences - held firstly in North Americans and a little more aggressively by Australians, thanks to and subsequently in Auckland - with a good deal of trepidation. the New Zealand Tourist and Publicity Department (NZTP) and the Tourist The rates were set by the THC and the inbound tour operators Hotel Corporation (THC), but arrival figures were still small by today’s had no choice but to accept them if they wished to secure comparisons. accommodation for their groups.

Established operators were given preference, but the newer Visitors were mainly on fully inclusive pre-packaged tours, sticking to tried and proven routes operators had to wait in the wings and often it was not until near and outside the main centres of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, geared mainly to the end of the week they found out how many rooms they would using accommodation provided by THC properties. At that time there was little other choice in be given at prime spots such as The Hermitage, the Chateau at the scenic beauty spots of the country. and the Waitangi Hotel in the Bay of Islands. It was only then could the tour operators begin negotiations with other hoteliers. At the time the Tourist Hotel Corporation’s The Japanese had yet to make any mark and visitors from Korea, Taiwan and South East Asia mandate forbid it from having properties in main cities such as Auckland, Wellington and were still a pipe dream. While there was some movement from what was known as the Visiting Christchurch and it had no property in Queenstown. Friends and Relatives (VFR) market mainly from the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, there was little general visitation. In the mid to late 1960s Auckland had begun to be recognised as a city in need of good upmarket accommodation and developers had built the South Pacific Hotel (was Auckland Tourism was not a particularly high profile industry in the eyes of politicians, who more often Parkroyal, then Novotel, now Grand Mercure Auckland) on the site of a previous hotel on the than not regarded it much as they would candy floss - all froth and no substance. corner of Queen and Customs Streets in the heart of the city. Larger well established companies such as Group Travel, Newmans Coach Tours, Guthreys NZ Tours, Mount Cook & Southern Lakes Tourist Company and the NZTP’s commercial offshoot Inter-Continental Hotels had become the first major international management company Tiki Tours, were at the forefront of the inbound industry. to operate a hotel in the city when it assumed control of a brand new high rise property on the comer of Waterloo Quadrant and Princes Street - ironically a hotel designed without Throughout the 1960s and into the early 1970s, these companies as well as the likes of Hunts air conditioning because it was said designers a long way away had taken note of average of the Pacific of NZ, Thomas Cook & Son, Atlantic and Pacific Travel, Stars Travel, Travelees, temperatures in Auckland and felt it wasn’t necessary. They had forgotten the hotel sat on White Heron Travel, Mutual Travel Services and Associated Travel Agencies, had to undergo the top of a rise with no likelihood of anything being built around it of any size, allowing the an annual planning conference, organised firstly by the Government Tourist Bureau and sun to stream over the property without interruption. The Travelodge New Zealand group was subsequently by the Tourist Hotel Corporation, to get ‘accommodation allocations’ in the main competing with growing companies such as Vacation Hotels and in Rotorua, entrepreneur tourist spots for the year. Jimmy Lowe’s independent Travelodge was competing hard against the THC. Other smaller hotel groups and individual properties were springing up and the motel industry was These conferences were mandatory and controlled with an iron hand. Allocations were expanding. based on the previous year’s performance and the conferences lasted a week. All the tour

04 Inbound Tour Wholesalers (ITW) NZ Emerges

Inbound Tour Operators were getting frustrated. They felt they were and Pacific Travel), Jack Ballinger (Mt Cook & Southern Lakes Tourist Company), Tony Taylor being hamstrung by the Government. The continued focus on using an (Guthreys) and Lionel Newton. accommodation allotment system and hesitancy by Government to create an environment for the private sector to flourish, was stifling the ability of Its first official decision was to fill in the required forms to register the group as an incorporated ITOs to meet offshore demand from wholesalers. society. It was followed by a decision to set the annual fee at $20 for each company and to agree to a listing in the Travel Executives publication. The next meeting was on November 22 that year (1971), again in the GTB offices, when nine companies were represented and two For some it was not a very palatable position. David Napier, who was general manager of sent their apologies. It was reported certification of incorporation had been approved and Auckland based multi-faceted company Russell and Somers whose interests ranged from steel received on August 21 and 16 companies were enrolled as foundation members. They were: to retail travel and inbound tourism, didn’t like it at all. Associated Travel Agencies Ltd, Atlantic & Pacific Travel Ltd, Thos Cook & Son Ltd, Guthreys NZ Tours Ltd, Hibiscus Tours, Hunts of the Pacific of NZ Ltd (a joint venture formed by Russell & He and a number of his colleagues used to meet regularly at their local watering hole, the Somers and Fiji based Hurits of the Pacific), Maui Tours of NZ Ltd, Mutual Travel Services Ltd, South Pacific and informally talk about the need “to get something done” about the situation. Newmans Coach Tours Ltd, Russell & Somers (Wgtn) Ltd, South Pacific Safaris Ltd, Stars Travel Napier sussed out those who showed most interest and organised a lunch time meeting at Ltd, TBS Tours Ltd, Travelees Ltd, White Heron Travel Ltd and Mt Cook and Southern Lakes the top floor restaurant of the hotel. Before it was over all five present, who included Keith Tourist Co Ltd. Some of these companies have disappeared, some have merged with other Johnston (then with Stars Travel) and Lionel Newton (working for NZ Tours and Travel and who companies and others have dropped out of the inbound industry. later ended up running United Touring) agreed there was a need to form a loose association and to circularise all other companies in the business including the Government Tourist Bureau.

Napier explained at the meeting there was a need to try and achieve some standardisation within the industry so far as rate setting, seasons, hotel house policies and a variety of other matters were concerned, including liaison with airlines to try and find a solution to a problem which even now still plagues the industry - a shortage of airline seats at peak times. At that time the airlines, including Air New Zealand, were not particularly interested in the inbound market. Their preoccupation was taking people out of New Zealand. By coming together periodically they would be able to air common problems and formulate policies to be made to other sectors of the industry in an attempt to make trading conditions easier and less complex for all.

As the instigator of the organisation, Napier, was unanimously elected its first chairman. He was proposed by Lionel Newton and seconded by Keith Johnston. Vice chairman was Robert Hebden of Thomas Cook & Son and committee members were John Coppleston (Atlantic

05 By 1975 cracks were beginning to appear to break the GTB, and by association the Tourist Hotel Corporation monopoly, with the Inbound Tour Wholesalers collective. A number of major North American operators were anxious to be rid of the straightjacket and wanted to deal with whom they pleased in New Zealand. American Express, for instance, had not long before appointed Stars Travel in Tauranga to be its representative in New Zealand; for some years it had used the GTB.

So the society played very much a game of brinkmanship with the GTB, never losing the opportunity to remind the Bureau it shouldn’t be actively selling against ITW members, but encouraging close contact and support for each of the roles they played in bringing international visitors to New Zealand.

In 1979, the first CEO Peter Lowry was appointed to the role to help guide the organisation through a period of growth and government relations and coordinate activities on behalf of a A different picture today. ITW chairman David Napier (left) with the then minister of tourism growing membership. Bert Walker looking at tourism receipts for 1971.

A complete history of The First 25 Years of inbound tourism in New Zealand is available. Please contact the TECNZ office for a copy of this publication written in 1995.

Image below: President Peter Cleary and Minister of Tourism Jonathan Hunt (1988-1989)

06 Insights from Peter Lowry, ITOC’s first Chief Executive

Little has changed about the investment, time, relationships, duty of It is all about building relationships at the sharp end of the business. This was our main focus care and wellbeing of visitors, and pride, that our ITO and Allied members for the years I was with ITOC and we worked hard to build a close working relationship between have had, and will continue to have with hosting international visitors ITOC full member tour operators and Allied Member suppliers. With leaders like life member in Aotearoa. Manaakitanga, health and safety and creating memorable Russell White, the late David Williams, life member Michael Wiedemann, Mark Sainsbury, moments for our visitors is at the forefront of all business owners Don Gunn and Stuart Neels, ITOC gained the ear of Government and demonstrated through performance, the importance of the inbound tour operator distribution business. We organized thinking. our successful well attended annual ITOC conference, produced our annual travel directory and information guide and participated in many industry forums. ITOC was established in 1971, having been formed by a small group of enthusiastic Inbound Tour Operators, who met informally on a regular basis to discuss common issues. David In 1990/91 ITOC became a separate trade Association with its own constitution, board and Napier, the first President, life member Keith Johnston and others worked hard to promote the organization, but though economies of scale, the sharing of resources and the secretariat with role of the inbound tour operator at the sharp end of the Tourism Industry and they achieved TAANZ the two Associations continued to work closely together to mutual benefit and much their goal. In 1979 after much discussion ITOC merged with the Travel Agents Association and was achieved. We became the voice of inbound tourism distribution and part of the inner became a separate division of TAANZ. I was fortunate to be appointed the Chief Executive of group of the Tourism Industry, working with the Minister of Tourism, Tourism New Zealand both Associations and over the years learned to appreciate the importance of the travel agent and Ministry of Tourism. Over the years we built up close working relationships with the New and inbound tour operator at the centre of travel distribution. Although the two sectors had Zealand Hotel Council, RTO’s including an annual RTO – ITOC trade day, the Bus and Coach different roles, one being outbound and the other inbound, they had much in common and Association, Qualmark and worked in a supportive way with the Industry Association, TIANZ. both were fortunate to have outstanding leaders who gained the respect of Government and Memorandums of Understanding were established and our goal was to help to build a vibrant, the industry as a whole. successful and expanding tourism industry where we played our separate roles but worked and planned as one. We also had a close working relationship with our kindred association in During my twenty seven years as Chief Executive I saw travel numbers grow from less than Australia. These were exciting times as our industry grew to become a $6 billion business and 400,000 to over two million overseas visitor arrivals and ITOC members were responsible for the number one export earner in New Zealand. processing 50 % of all holiday visitor arrivals.

ITOC has always been about relationship building and this why we put so much importance During the same period TAANZ members processed fewer than 300,000 New Zealand on our Allied Member suppliers and made them feel part of us. Benefits of membership were residents travelling overseas and this grew to 1.5 million. TAANZ members were responsible considered paramount. Over the years ITOC grew these two houses of product and distribution, for processing 80 % of the international travel booked by customers. The travel agent and both dependent on the other, but working for the one overseas customer, so that they would inbound tour operator business has over the years faced huge change especially with the return home a satisfied customer happy to promote our wonderful country. Allied members growth of the internet, however they have adapted well to the marketplace and continue to be like life member Blair Sheehy, Warren Harford and Mark Quickfall helped us to cement a the prime method of distribution. The outbound travel agent distribution system in overseas positive business relationship for mutual gain. We live in global village and the internet was the countries processes 70 % of the travel business and these are the customers ITOC full umbilical cord and highway for communication. members in New Zealand.

07 Customers can book direct and be responsible for their own actions and choices, or they can use an expert who is a one stop shop, namely the ITOC full member tour operator. Although Insights from 2001 to 2021 the marketplace is very price driven and competitive, product suppliers should always include Since 2001, the world has seen a raft of change no-one could have sufficient margin for ITOC full members to work the market effectively and pay recognized anticipated. In 2001, the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York USA, changed commissions to wholesalers and travel agents overseas. After all the Full Member has the the way border, customs and security processes were managed around contacts, the knowledge and is the marketing arm of travel distribution. the globe. Other global events like the 2002 Bali bombing, the 2003

In my day there were many who thought the days of the travel agent and inbound tour operator SARS outbreak, the 2010 Icelandic Eyjafjallajökull volcano eruption were numbered but they have been proved wrong because today they have adapted well to disrupted international travel routes for many months, new airlines flying change, use the internet to advantage, are computerized but have remained focused on the into New Zealand resulted in new markets (China and Asia), all of which customer and providing a value added service. I salute our leaders of the past and thank them contributed to a fast changing face of NZ’s international visitor profile. for what they have done for the Tourism Industry. This was voluntary dedicated service for our industry and without them, ITOC would not be where it is today. What a great industry we are After external disrupts with global events in the early 2000s, by 2004 a number of new airlines all part of, what a wonderful country we have to sell and I know of no other industry which is put NZ on their schedules and increased airline connectivity drove growth through to 2009. as competitive as ours, but we all drink as friends and believe in fellowship. New product and experiences were developed with new segments like premium/luxury, golf, Māori tourism, business events (incentive) and the youth and education sectors emerging.

In the early 2010’s we began to feel the delayed impact of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and impact of the Bird Flu across Asian markets. Closer to home, the 2010 and 2011 Christchurch earthquakes forced a change in itineraries around the as Christchurch had to focus on rebuilding their beloved city, while Tourism NZ and ITOs had to ensure NZ’s global reputation as a desired destination to travel to, was not too badly impacted. It was important visitors still felt safe to travel to New Zealand.

All the disruptions were met by an industry with a resolve to work through the challenges, become better corporate citizens with a strong focus on sustainability and quality, and emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before. During this period we also saw a large number of members invest in their communities with conservation and biodiversity programs. In 2001, hundreds of NZ tourism businesses invested time and a commitment to the global Green Globe 21 certification process, a structured assessment of the sustainability performance of travel and tourism businesses. Others subscribed to the Earthcheck sustainability platform, and more recently (2010-2020) a number of businesses have adopted the UN Sustainability Development Goals. Having a focus on sustainability is not a new thing for the tourism industry, we have been doing it for over twenty years. Qualmark also became more embedded in the industry during this period.

08 Global Travel Changes in 2020

The Coronavirus named COVID-19 arrived in New Zealand in March 2020. NZ closed its border to all international travellers and as this publication is being written (July 2021), NZ’s border is only open for travellers from Australia (reopened in April 2021) without having to undergo a 14-day quarantine period in a Managed Isolation Quarantine (MIQ) facility.

This unexpected event has changed the face of international travel for the next decade. International tourism businesses have never had to dig so deep to adapt and change their approach to only hosting domestic visitors. Businesses with a strong orientation with hosting international visitors are suffering greatly.

Regions that have always had a stronger domestic visitor profile are holding their own and some are doing better than before. The unprecedented event is something no country has seen around the world. The Board has kept a close eye on events and trends around the world which now includes changes in infection rates and vaccination rates in all our source countries. We are hopeful that after two years of global travel and tourism being grounded to a halt, in Q1 of 2022, New Zealand might begin to see the return of some long-haul markets (USA, Canada). In Q2 we hope to see the return of China and Asian markets and in Q3 and Q4 our traditional markets of UK and Europe. Time will tell.

During these past two decades ITOC/TECNZ remained focused on its relationships, advocacy and creating value and benefits for members. Changes were made within the organisation. Between 2005 and 2020, the Board welcomed four new Chief Executives. Paul Yeo, Lesley Immink, Judy Chen and Lynda Keene. All have made a significant contribution to the organisation to help it be in the position financially and operationally, to meet the challenge of supporting members during the tumultuous COVID-19 impacted years of 2020 and 2021. It is a credit to all our Chief Executives for the roles they have played in steering the organisation through rough and calm waters over the past two decades. The Board is proud of everyone’s achievements and wish to take this moment to say, thank you.

09 50 YEARS TIMELINE

Our History & Accomplishments Over 5 Decades.

10 11 12 13 14 15 The following graph represents the total number of members per decade that includes Inbound Tour Operators and Allied suppliers (accommodation, transport, activity/attraction, RTOs and tourism service businesses).

YE March 2021 Annual Report shows the following breakdown of Allied member categories:

Activities / Attractions 89 RTO’s 29

Accommodation Tourism Services Activities/attractions 38 22 Accommodation Transport Transport 32

16 Year End Decade 1979 1989 1999 2009 2019

No. Airlines 2 5 9 14 30

No. Arrivals 418,774* 900,000 1.6m 2.4m 3.9m

Annual International Visitor Spend $186.4m* $696m $5.9bn $11bn $ 17.2bn $M

No. Airlines, BARNZ March 2021 In 1922, NZ welcomed 8,050 international visitors, in 1949 there were 10,768 visitors No. Arrivals 1979 (*Reserve Bank 1982) plus Stats NZ for 1989, 1999, 2009, 2019 In 1967 Government earned £10m from international visitors. First Minister of Tourism appointed. Annual International Visitor Spend 1979 (*Reserve Bank 1982), Tourism Satellite Account 2019 In 1975 Government earned $100m from international visitors Stats NZ and ITOC The First 25 Years publication In 1989 ITOC forecast international visitor spend could be $6bn in SOURCES 2019, and it was. Reflections from Chief Executives

Over fifty years, ITOC and TECNZ has had five Chief Executives. The Board wishes to acknowledge all CEOs for their time, commitment and achievements during their tenure.

Peter Lowry | CEO, 27 years, 1979-2005 Firstly congratulations on celebrating 50 years as the main driver of our inbound tourism industry and I wish you all a great Conference of celebration on all your achievements to date. Looking back in retirement from my home desk in my 84th year I was very fortunate in my 27 years as Chief Executive of ITOC. These were the halcyon years of building an industry that the Government was fairly sceptical about. They needed reminding how important the tourism industry was to the nation and to the economy. They were exciting years of growth and enjoyment, working with wonderful outgoing and friendly people of enterprise. You have all had a very tough time over the Coronavirus issues and I feel for you at this very difficult and challenging time. In time everything will get back to normal and you will be once again in the driver’s seat and the powerhouse of international tourism. I wish you every success in the years ahead.

Paul Yeo | CEO, 5 years, 2005-2010 Following on from Peter Lowry’s 27 year tenure felt somewhat daunting along with the responsibility of guiding a powerful but conservative sector of the industry. It was a vibrant time with rapid tourism growth and shifts in demand towards China and new emerging markets coupled with greater independent travel styles that members mostly embraced and profited from, although the internet was starting to challenge the distribution chain. Convincing the government to take over the onerous monitoring of the China ADS system was the biggest challenge, successfully completed, whilst they relentlessly stymied our arguments around GST rebates.

Lesley Immink | CEO 6 years 2011-2017 ITOC was an organisation I had professionally grown up with and had enormous respect for. The graft and challenges that faced the early ITOC members were considerable and I wanted to represent our members and help grown the organisation as part of their ongoing legacy. The establishment of Young TEC has been a game-changer for the organisations survival and I have no doubt they are what we need as we transition the next phase of international tourism. Congratulations ITOC and TECNZ on your 50th Anniversary!

Judy Chen | CEO 2 years 2017-2019 Happy 50th Anniversary TEC and what a fantastic milestone! It was a privilege to be part of this journey and to be in a position to try and make a difference for our Industry. Keep up the good work and here’s a toast to the next 50!

Lynda Keene | CEO from 2020 It has been a source of pride to help guide the NZ international tourism sector through the challenging times that the COVID-19 global pandemic has created.

18 Presidents / Chair Life Members • Blair Sheehy 1997 • Peter Lowry 2005 YEAR PRESIDENT COMPANY • Michael Weidemann 1997 • Warren Harford 2013 1971 - 1973 David Napier Farm Stay • Russell White 1999 • Tony McQuilkin 2017 • Keith Johnson 2000 • Peter Black 2019 1973 – 1975 Keith Johnston ID Tours South Pacific

1975 - 1977 Don Banks Southern Cross Tours

1977 – 1979 Barry Doody Contract Pacific

1970 - 1981 Paul O’Ryan National Car Rental

1981 George Hudson Fullers Group

1981 – 1994 David Williams Kiwi Tours

1984 – 1987 Russell White ATS Pacific

1987 – 1988 Bruce Coe Silver Fern Travel

1988 – 1990 Peter Cleary ITS South Pacific

1990 – 1994 Michael Wiedemann Wiedemann Travel

1994 – 1996 Greig Ritchie Contract Pacific

1996 – 1999 Mark Sainsbury Pan Pacific Travel Corp

1999 – 2004 Don Gunn General Travel

2004 – 2007 Stuart Neels ATS Pacific

2007 – 2011 Brian Henderson Magic Travellers

2011 – 2017 Martin Horgan Southern World

2017 – 2021 Anna Black General Travel

19 1994-1995 Board 25th Anniversary Past Presidents and Life Members Back row left to right: Messrs Fraser Wilkes, Paul Brann, Warren Harford, Bruce Kenny, From left to right: Michael Wiedemann (Life Member & Past President 1990-94), Peter Grant Bracefield, Peter Lowry (Chief Executive) Cleary (1988-90), David Williams (1981-84), Bruce Coe (1987-1988), Mark Sainsbury Front row left to right: Michael Wiedemann (Immediate Past President), Blair Sheehy (1996-98), Blair Sheehy (Life Member), Barry Doody (1997-79), George Hudson (1981), (Vice-President), Greig Ritchie (President), Richard Peate (Vice President), Russell White Russell White (1984-87), Paul O’Ryan (1979-81), Greig Ritchie (1994-96) and David (Past President) Napier (First President 1971-79)

2000-2001 Board Back row left to right: Hideaki Kikuchi, Ian McIndoe, Blair Sheehy (Life Member), Chris 2007-2008 Board Mitchell, Peter Sefton, Butch Iwabuchi, Paul Donovan, Mark Quickfall and Peter Lowry Back row left to right: Jim Monahan, Mark Oldershaw, Jenny Simpson, Mark Quickfall, (Chief Executive) Simon Watson, Grant Lilly, Dominic Cheng Front row left to right: Eva Lau, Warren Harford (Vice-President), Don Gunn (President), Front row left to right: Paul Yeo (Chief Executive), Warren Harford (Vice-President), Brian Matt Brady (Vice-President), Mark Sainsbury (Immediate Past President) and Keith Henderson (President), Kathy Turner (Vice President), Martin Horgan. Absent – Stuart Johnston (Past President) Neels (Immediate Past President), Jun Hiyoshi, Dave Salisbury

20 21 Member Accomplishments

Operator of the Year Operator of the Year Operator of the Year

YEAR COMPANY YEAR COMPANY YEAR COMPANY

1982 Rainbow Springs Rotorua 2000 Alpine Guides Fox Glacier 2017 Rotorua Canopy Tours, NZ Journeys, Fiordland Trips & Tramps 1984 Air Safaris & Services, Tekapo 2001 Air New Zealand 2018 Scenic Hotel Group 1985 The Charter Cruise Company, Auckland 2002 Hawkes Bay Tourism 2019 The Rees Hotel, Queenstown 1986 Skyline Skyrides, Rotorua 2003 Fullers Bay of Islands 2020 Covid-19: No Awards 1987 Department of Conservation 2004 Qantas 2021 Covid-19: No awards 1988 Kelly Tarltons Underwater World, Auckland 2005 The Kauri Museum, Matakohe

1989 Christchurch Parkroyal Hotel 2006 Real Journeys, Fiordland Small Business of the Year 1990 Fiordland Travel 2007 Agrodome, Rotorua YEAR COMPANY 1991 Ansett New Zealand 2008 Real Journeys, Fiordland 2017 Fiordland Trips & Tramps 1992 Routeburn Walk, Queenstown 2009 Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Te Anau 2018 Ecozip Adventures 1993 Air New Zealand 2010 Intercity New Zealand 2019 OGO Rotorua 1994 Agrodome Leisure Park, Rotorua 2011 Southern Discoveries, Fiordland 2020 Covid-19: No Awards 1995 Shotover Jet, Queenstown 2012 Scenic Hotel Group 2021 Covid-19: No Awards 1996 Paradise Valley Springs 2013 Real Journeys, Fiordland

1997 Larnach Castle, Dunedin 2014 Hobbiton Movie Se

1998 Larnach Castle, Dunedin 2015 Real Journeys & Southern Discoveries

1999 Heritage Gateway Hotel 2016 Scenic Hotel Group

22 YTEC Chair & Excellence Awards

YEAR CHAIR COMPANY YEAR CHAIR COMPANY

2013 Stephen Marshall AOT New Zealand 2018 Nicole Botting ChristchurchNZ

2014 Dylan Rushbrook SkyCity 2019 Nicole Botting Maverick Digital

Inbound Tour Operator of the Year 2015 Dylan Rushbrook SkyCity 2020 Zac Watson ATEED

YEAR COMPANY 2016 Loren Heaphy ATEED 2021 Zac Watson Auckland Unlimited

2010 Pan Pacific Travel 2017 Bryn Lloyd Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongawera 2011 AOT New Zealand

2012 Pacific Destinations YTEC Excellence Award YTEC Rising Star Award

2013 Pacific Destinations YEAR WINNER COMPANY YEAR WINNER COMPANY

2014 Pacific Destinations 2014 Dylan Rushbrook Sky City 2015 Shayne Forrest Hobbiton Movie Set Tours

2015 Pan Pacific Travel 2015 Loren Heaphy Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei 2016 Nicole Botting THL

2016 Southern World 2016 Holly Bowen Taupo Tandem Dive 2017 Jessica Taylor James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor 2017 NZ Journeys (2007) Ltd 2017 Shayne Forrest Hobbiton Movie Set Tours 2018 Danielle Davies Sky City 2018 General Travel 2018 Emily Byrne TIA 2019 Ella Spittle Southern Discoveries 2019 Pan Pacific Travel 2019 Rachel Leinhardt Skyline Rotorua 2020 Covid-19 No Awards 2020 Covid-19: No Awards 2020 Covid-19 No Awards 2021 Covid-19 No Awards 2021 Covid-19: No Awards 2021 Covid-19 No Awards

23 Young TEC

In 2012, CEO Lesley Immink and the Board made a commitment to pursue a professional development program for younger members of the industry from ages 18-36 years old.

They felt it was important younger members of industry could met with experienced (older) business owners and have a type of mentoring arrangement. The purpose being to start a succession planning process for the future of the inbound tourism sector.

VISION MISSION To enhance the New Zealand tourism export To provide support, education and networking industry by facilitating the development of opportunities to further the professional the industry’s future leaders development of young people working in the New Zealand tourism export industry

In 2013, the first Strategic & Business Plan was developed and Young TEC (YTEC) was born with branches established in Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Top of the South, Christchurch and Queenstown. *YTEC was modelled on the Young Australian Tourism Export Council’s ‘Young TEC’ program named YATEC.

In 2016 Young TEC won the Gold PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) international award for professional education and training for their Professional Development Program. Young TEC was on its way and becoming a brand in its own right.

The following graph shows the growth of YTEC members since its inception. The TECNZ Board continues its support of YTEC and believes the investment in future leaders of the industry will produce positive results and benefits and cement the legacy of TECNZ in years to come.

24 25 [email protected] | Level 4, 326 Lambton Quay, Wellington 6011 | PO Box 25151, Wellington 6140, New Zealand | www.tourismexportcouncil.org.nz