• A Snapshot of the Tourism Industry on the West Coast (Date: 4 September 2006)
• West Coast Tourism Industry Training Needs (Date: 15 September 2006)
• The Need for a Human Resources Development Officer for the Tourism Industry on the West Coast (Date: 17 October 2006)

 A Snapshot of the Tourism Industry on the West Coast

In the second half of 2005, Tai Poutini Polytechnic (TPP) conducted a survey of tourism business owners and operators and the tourism industry on the West Coast. The primary purpose of the survey was to ensure that TPP understands the training needs of the industry. In order to do this in a meaningful way, data were also gathered on the structure of the industry during this period.

This report presents an examination of those data and includes analyses of the business mix in the industry on the West Coast, spatial distribution of businesses, multiple services offered, ages of businesses and their organization and staffing levels, importance of hiring factors to operators, predictions of future staffing needs, knowledge of the Interactive Traveller©, and operator comments concerning the industry here.

This report is copyright and all information in it must be cited if referred to. When quoting this report, please cited as "A snapshot of the tourism industry on the West Coast. S. Rhodda, Tai Poutini Polytechnic Research Report, June 2006".
A Snapshot of the Tourism Industry on the West Coast

West Coast Tourism Industry Training Needs

A survey of tourism businesses on the West Coast conducted by Tai Poutini Polytechnic (TPP) in the second half of 2005 primarily focused on ascertaining the training needs of industry owners/operators and their staff. The polytechnic was especially interested in learning about operator perceptions of training in the area of Ecotourism, as a Centre of Excellence in Ecotourism is being developed at TPP.

Data were gathered in a number of areas and are here analysed and presented. These include operator interest in training in 78 subjects, about one third of which are in the Ecotourism arena, operator suggestion of subjects, geographic distribution of interest, distances operators are willing to travel in order to train, preferences for seasonal and diurnal delivery, methods of training and recognition of training, training currently given, interest in internship programmes, importance of hiring factors, factors preventing the uptake of training, and operator comments concerning training and other matters.

This report is copyright and all information in it must be cited if referred to. When quoting this report, please cited as "West Coast tourism industry training needs. S. Rhodda, Tai Poutini Polytechnic Research Report, June 2006".
West Coast Tourism Industry Training Needs

The Need for a Human Resources Development Officer for the Tourism Industry on the West Coast

This report addresses the problems of unemployment, and staff recruitment, retention, education, and training in the tourism industry on the West Coast. Recommendations that a dedicated Human Resources Development Officer (HRO) be employed are supported. A Tourism Human Resources Strategy (THRS) should aim to develop and promote a systematic and coordinated approach to human resources planning, research, education and training in the tourism industry, and build on the consultation that has already occurred between West Coast tourism businesses, private and public stakeholders, labour interests, associations, educators and local and national governments. Research into the use of offshore workers, and into work/education exchange programmes with northern hemisphere educational institutes and Tai Poutini Polytechnic (TPP) should be researched and developed cooperatively with TPP. The resulting more cohesive, integrated, goal oriented, and better-educated and better-staffed industry would convert the West Coast to a major destination for skilled tourism workers, and those wishing to upskill.

This report is copyright and all information in it must be cited if referred to. When quoting this report, please cite as " The Need for a Human Resources Development Officer for the Tourism Industry on the West Coast: A Discussion. S. Rhodda, Tai Poutini Polytechnic Research Report, October 2006".
The Need for a Human Resources Development Officer for the Tourism Industry on the West Coast