By Geoffrey Darling
Information on New Zealand Institute of Travel and Tourism
The New Zealand Institute of Travel and Tourism (NZITT) gives professional standing to employees in the country's tourism industry. Membership shows that they have attained New Zealand national qualifications in tourism, travel or hospitality. Since forming in 1968, the organization continues to promote tourism and travel industry training, recognize achievement and provide attractive membership benefits.
History
New Zealand pastoral; (photo Geoffrey Darling)
In 1968, there were no formal qualifications in the New Zealand tourism industry. Establishing the NZIT filled the gap in the rapidly growing sector. Industry training organizations that evolved were the Aviation and Travel Industry Training Board (ATITB) and the Aviation Tourism and Travel Training (ATTTO). Demand for tourism qualifications increased and in 1988 the institute became known as the NZITT.
Members
NZITT boasts more than 650 members according to its website. Members can add letters after their name based on their membership level, Student, Associate, Member, Fellow or Life. Travel Agents Association of New Zealand (TAANZ) will accept NZITT membership as an alternative to its own qualifications. Similar organizations in Australia and Great Britain recognize NZITT qualifications.
Criteria
NZITT offers student membership to students of a national certificate in travel and tourism at the National Certificate of Educational Attainment (NCEA) level three or higher. Level three is the equivalent of a U.S. high school senior. NZITT says an Associate membership is for "a person who has obtained a nationally recognised industry qualification at no less than level three, or three and four and who is actively employed in the industry." An MNZITT goes to level four graduates currently three years in the industry. After 10 years and a significant contribution to the industry, members are eligible to be voted a Fellow (FNZITT).
Benefits
Membership group benefits include discounts on accommodation in New Zealand and Australia, a no-fees Diners Club card, a photo ID card, travel insurance rebates and a cellphone company's on-call plan. Members participate in professional seminars, workshops and forums focused on the travel industry and on the NZITT.
First Degree
In the 1990s, Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua, New Zealand's tourism capital, offered the country's first degree qualification in tourism, a three-year Bachelor of Tourism Management. It is still going strong, and graduates are eligible for NZITT entry at the member level.
Potential
New Zealand's inbound tourism industry makes $NZ 8.3 billion every year, one fifth of the country's export income. The whole tourist industry is worth $NZ18.6 billion and almost 10 percent of gross domestic product, according to Ministry of Tourism figures (see References). One in 10 New Zealanders work in the tourism industry in some form. New Zealanders valued tourists even in the nineteenth century even though they were comparatively rare, and included Mark Twain. In 2004, more than two million visitors came and forecasters expect 3.4 million in 2015, earning the country $NZ12 billion.
Resources
About the Author:
Geoffrey Darling has been writing since 1980. In 2007, he received an Ohio Senate award for contribution to the arts, recognizing his work performing in Ohio prisons. Darling also worked for the New Zealand government as the Minister of Energy's press secretary and edited three small community newspapers.
Photo Credits:
Logo courtesy of NZITT
