Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) boss Rebecca Ingram says outbound travel by Kiwis is helping to drive the country’s inbound visitor sector.
With airline connectivity critical to bringing in visitors (now at 93% of pre-pandemic levels), the contribution of outbound travel (which has been at record levels) as base demand for airlines is critical.
”It’s really important that it works both ways because the airlines need to see that business case to get seats filled in both directions. So, we understand that our air connectivity plays two really important roles for the country,’’ she says.
“It enables New Zealanders to connect offshore and sometimes they’re doing that for (leisure) travel, but also, they’re doing that for business.”
Healthy air connectivity also means more freight capacity in the belly of aircraft, critical to the country’s high value exports of fresh produce. Ingram says more travel and tourism businesses and bodies such TIA were using AI as a tool, but when it came to travellers booking, they still appreciate human contact and expertise. “It’s not there to replace the wonderful people in our business.”
