TIA warmly welcomes the Hon Louise Upston to the Tourism and Hospitality portfolio. 

We look forward to working with the Minister on how to enable tourism that brings wide reaching benefits to the regions we're part of, for the environment and for New Zealand's overall economic outlook. 

In particular, we're keen to see continuation of initiatives like the Tourism Growth Roadmap and progress on key issues like ensuring we are globally competitive, sustainable tourism funding for tourism related infrastructure, workforce development and the intersection between conservation and tourism.  

The tourism industry has huge potential, we're excited to get to work with the new Minister, and also other Minsters now holding portfolios that intersect with tourism. These include the new Minister for the South Island, James Meager, and the Hon Simon Watts in his capacity as Minister for Local Government. We're also delighted to see such a strong focus on economic growth potential now led by the Hon Nicola Willis. 

Our thanks to Minister Doocey for his support and commitment to hearing directly from the industry; he travelled extensively in his time as Minister to hear from tourism businesses what was important to them. 

Minister Doocey quickly recognised that good information was essential and made positive decisions to invest in tourism data that will enable businesses and regions by providing essential information. As the first Minister for Hospitality he also ensured the important role of hospitality in our manaakitanga of visitors was acknowledged. Nga mihi nui Minister Doocey.