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With the updated international arrival forecasts for 2025-2027, Lynda Keene, chief executive of TECNZ shared insights on enhancing New Zealand’s appeal to key markets, particularly in light of the varying recovery rates.
“Our Inbound Tour Operator (ITO) members and a number of our Allied (Supplier) members are always ‘in-market’ promoting New Zealand itineraries to offshore tour wholesalers and trade representatives,” she says. With the government now prioritising international tourism, she believes this backing will empower members to amplify their marketing efforts.
Addressing the impact of geopolitical tensions, she says “The ongoing conflicts around the world will influence their decision to look more at intraregional travel rather than long-haul flights.” She emphasised that government policies must not deter potential visitors with increased fees, as global competition for tourists remains fierce.
“TECNZ members will continue promoting once in a lifetime itineraries to prospective clients and visitors. This is why it is critical that decisions and policies made by government do not impact too much with increased visitor fees that ‘turn off’ a prospective visitor to commit and pay a deposit to come to New Zealand when there is significant global competition from every country in the world to attract a visitor to their shores. We are encouraged to provide the government with ideas to help stimulate growth across a number of markets with their new growth agenda” she says.
On the future of airline connectivity, she says “International airline connectivity has always been the main catalyst for international visitor growth.” With a direct flight from India expected in 2026, Lynda highlights the importance of direct routes to New Zealand’s gateway airports. “Pricing plays a large part in an airline’s decision to put New Zealand on their network.” she says.
“The more ‘direct’ a flight can be to New Zealand’s gateway airports, the more appealing it is for airlines to put New Zealand on their global networks. New Zealand is at the end of the world. We need to be grateful when an airline that does not have 100% load factors that they keep NZ on their global network.”
Looking forward, Lynda confirms TECNZ’s commitment to supporting the tourism sector. “We 100% support the work that Tourism New Zealand does, and they need more funds to drive growth.”
