KiwiRail has appointed an influential panel of advisors, including Tourism New Zealand chair Kerry Prendergast, former Tourism New Zealand head George Hickton and Tourism Industry Aotearoa Chief Executive Chris Roberts, to drive the next stage of growth in its tourism business.
“We’re thrilled with the calibre of advisors who have agreed to sit on our new Tourism Advisory Committee,” says Acting Chief Executive Todd Moyle.
“This is the first time we have appointed such a committee, and it signals the start of a new era for our tourism business.
“We are already a leading tourism player in New Zealand, hosting more than a million visitors each year. This high-powered expert team will help guide us into the next stage, further unlock KiwiRail’s tourism potential and accelerate our growth.
“There are a number of exciting developments on the horizon for our Great Journeys of New Zealand services.
“Last year, the Government announced an $80 million investment through the Provincial Growth Fund that will allow us to add extra carriages including new premium carriages on the Coastal Pacific and TranzAlpine rail tourism services and run the Coastal Pacific year-round. We will also upgrade platforms along their routes, invest in international marketing and upgrade our reservation systems.
“We’re moving beyond just providing ships and trains to working with partners to develop tourism packages, attractions and activities that complement our journeys and champion tourism growth in the regions.
“We’re also benefiting from a global rail renaissance, with increased demand for travel where the journey itself becomes part of the experience.
“Tourism is New Zealand’s biggest GDP export earner and it shows no signs of slowing down.
“As one of the country’s largest tourism operators, unlocking our growth potential will boost the sector overall, and spread the benefits throughout the country.
“An example of what we can achieve is on the West Coast, where around 82,000 people currently travel on the TranzAlpine each year to and from Greymouth. They spend around $46 million on the West Coast and support about 400 jobs.
“With the extended service, this is expected to increase to around 119,000 passengers a year by 2027, with spending increasing to $80 million.”
The new advisory committee will include four KiwiRail executives and three external advisors. They are: