Tourism is NZ’s second largest export – and more incredible facts!

Get the latest exciting news about travel and tourism.

After the pandemic saw a global slowdown in travel and tourism, we’re now watching an incredible shift back to regular travel around the world.

Here are just some of the latest facts and statistics showcasing just how rapidly the market is growing, and therefore how many employees it will need to sustain the demand

Tourism is our second-largest export

For example, tourism is now New Zealand’s second largest export, which is especially important as Aotearoa faces other challenges, such as the recovery after Cyclone Gabrielle.

In the Hawke’s Bay, tourism operators are seeing huge visitor numbers, with the visitor economy recording its highest ever contribution to the regional GDP in the year to September 2023. Plus, some accommodation providers in the area recorded their busiest Januaries ever.

Visitor arrivals in New Zealand increased more than 800% in 2023

New figures from Tourism Satellite Account show that overseas visitor arrivals to New Zealand increased by a massive 858.7% in the year to March 2023. That equates to more than 2.1 million people visiting our country and exploring everything there is to see and do here.

It’s no wonder so many local tourism and travel companies are seeking qualified staff to help cater to those visitors.

Tourism directly employs almost 200,000 people in New Zealand

The same Tourism Satellite Account data found that there were 189,432 people employed in New Zealand directly by the tourism industry. That’s an increase on the year before of more than 60,000 people – or 48%!

Overall, that means that a massive 6.7% of all people employed in Aotearoa are working in tourism.

International travel is set to hit $11 trillion in 2024

In 2024, the global travel market is expected to see $11 trillion spent on tourism.

This boom is said to signal a golden era of travel, and according to World Travel and Tourism Council President and CEO Julia Simpson, it’s no longer about a recovery.

“This is a story of the sector back at its best after a difficult few years, providing a significant economic boost to countries around the world and supporting millions of jobs,” she explained.

Enrol with a college at the heart of it all

Do you want to be one of the one in nine Kiwis working in travel and tourism? Do you want to get out and see the world as part of your work?

It can all start right here!

Get in touch to learn about our courses and how they prepare you for work in the industry with foundational skills and knowledge that will open doors to countless jobs across New Zealand and the world.

When you study from home, you can get started any time that suits you – even today! Take a look at our course options to see what might be best for your goals.

Study From Home – college@itc.co.nz 0800 TOURISM (0800 868747) or https://studyfromhome.co.nz/contact-us/

From Malta to Vietnam: ITC Graduate Gemma shares her travel stories

ITC Graduate Gemma Delia swimming with whale sharks in Indonesia – just one of the many exciting experiences she has had on her travels!

Gemma Delia graduated from the International Travel College in 2014. Her passion for travel and discovering new places motivated her to gain a qualification and she chose to Study From Home. Gemma is now working as a travel designer for Adventure World. In this role, she helps people achieve their travel dreams. We caught up with her to learn about her favourite travel memories and why she loves working in this exciting industry.

What sparked your interest in travel & tourism?
I have family in Malta (a small island in the Mediterranean Sea) and from a young age we would travel to visit family. Because it took 27 hours to fly there, my family would often stop in different countries along the way to break up the trip. These experiences sparked my interest in cultures and this grew into a passion to travel the world and experience all the world has to offer.

What is your fondest travel memory?
I have so many. But I think of the best moments was when I was diving with Manta Rays in the Galapagos Islands. They had 4 – 5 meter spans and were so close I could have touched them (but of course I didn’t). I just remember hanging in the water about at about 15m and thinking I am luckiest person on earth to be so close to such a beautiful, powerful but graceful creature.

(more…)