Our vision for Better Work

We are here to nurture this place, enriching generations with livelihoods, experiences and stories to share. We must own the impact of our actions and enable Aotearoa New Zealand to thrive by giving back more than we take.

New Zealand Tourism Futures Taskforce

This Plan will enable people working in tourism to thrive and drive a regenerative tourism system, one that gives back more than it takes.

This plan aims to pave the way for a future where

• Those who work in tourism are consistently treated well and can easily identify which businesses to work for and where they’ll find rewarding work. Consumers can identify and choose to support tourism businesses that are treating their people well.
• Businesses are driven by purpose and values, and contribute to a regenerative tourism system with thriving, engaged employees.
• Businesses make better use of emerging technologies to become less labour intensive, leading to higher productivity and more rewarding work for those in the industry.
• The tourism workforce is regarded as one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most culturally competent workforces, renowned for culturally appropriate and authentic storytelling.
• Tourism is recognised as an industry which provides skills for life, where there are many ways to learn that suit employees and employers well. There is an effectively skilled workforce, prepared for the future of tourism.
• Entities within tourism collaborate with each other, and with other industries, to embrace opportunities presented by peaks and troughs of consumer demand. This attracts people to work in the industry who find working across different roles, businesses and industries rewarding, as well as having the opportunity to upskill when demand is low.
• The tourism industry collaborates within industry, and with other industries, to embrace the opportunities presented by the peaks and troughs of consumer demand. This attracts people to tourism who find it rewarding to work across different roles, businesses, and industries, and appreciate having the opportunity to upskill when demand is low.
• Tourism is recognised for its capable and knowledgeable leaders, operators, and owners. Employers are being upskilled in creating enriching employment environments, which creates a positive employee experience. 
• People are proud of working in tourism, and it is an industry that people want to work in.
• Tourism is able to welcome all people into the industry – not only those who are gender and ethnically diverse, but also people starting out in their careers and older/returning workers, people living with disabilities, and workers who are seeking flexibility in the timing and location of work.

We want to make sure people know it is possible to have a rewarding lifelong career in tourism. However, we don’t define success as keeping people for the entirety of their careers. The tourism industry will provide a space for people to move in and out (and back in), as they please – and this exchange of people, ideas, and skills will be celebrated. Tourism will give people skills for life and this will contribute to the overall health of the tourism system, the economy, and the development and wellbeing of workers.

In the future, the Aotearoa New Zealand public, especially the those with influence over young people (such as parents, school teachers and career advisors) will have an enhanced perception of what tourism is, and what work in tourism can offer.

<Why Better Work? | Current state of the tourism workforce>