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Tourism leaders from industry, government and research will gather in Queenstown later this month to discuss how Aotearoa New Zealand should respond to a rapidly changing global tourism landscape.
The Otago Tourism Policy School, organised by the University of Otago Department of Tourism, will run March 26–27, 2026 and explore the role of emerging technologies and policy in shaping the future of the sector.
School co-director Associate Professor Susan Houge Mackenzie says the forum will examine how tourism in Aotearoa could evolve by 2050 and how policy can help guide that transition.
“Emerging technologies will impact every aspect of our current tourism industry – from how we learn about, book and travel, to how destinations and communities manage tourism.”
Susan says innovations such as artificial intelligence, immersive digital experiences and data analytics could reshape both visitor experiences and destination management.
“These developments have the potential to improve tourism outcomes but could also create risks for communities and environments connected to tourism,” she says.
Policy and industry discussions
Discussion will also centre on the government’s proposed Tourism Growth Roadmap, alongside the role of technology in strengthening environmental stewardship and supporting community wellbeing.
Sessions will explore how innovation can align with New Zealand’s regenerative tourism ambitions and values including kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga and whanaungatanga.
This year marks the eighth Tourism Policy School, which Susan says has become a leading forum for tourism policy discussion in Aotearoa.
“It is a key fixture in the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality’s calendar and has become a launching point for new policy initiatives and tourism research projects,” Susan says.
Speakers
The 2026 programme includes:
Louise Upston, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality
Joshua Ryan-Saha, director of tourism, travel and festivals at the Edinburgh Futures Institute
Rod Drury, founder of Xero
Peter Haxton, senior policy analyst at the Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development
The event will be held at the Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park in Frankton.
