The COVID-19 pandemic has taken the world by storm, having a huge impact on businesses of all kind, this is particularly the case for tourism and hospitality. According to the TIA, tourism is NZ’s largest export industry, directly and indirectly contributing to 9.8% of NZ’s GDP. With the border being closed for the foreseeable future, the industry needs to switch its focus to the domestic and the trans-Tasman market. In order to survive, businesses must make drastic changes and adapt to the “new norms” of the post-COVID-19 world, issues such as sustainability, innovation, crisis-management and coping strategies becomes more important than ever.
To pull this off, the industry will need to unite and support each other; the rebuilding of NZ’s tourism will inevitably involve the development of new business and operation models, partnerships and marketing strategies.