Lincoln University’s tourism research centre is one of the big winners in the latest allocation of funding from the Foundation for Research Science Technology, with backing approved for two major programmes designed to improve the industry’s long term outlook.
In contracts announced today (18 July) by FoRST, the University will receive $962,000 for a programme to help the industry adapt to rising oil prices; and $1.5 million to improve the profitability of tourism businesses through a model for targeting high-yield visitors.
Both programmes will be administered by the University’s Tourism Recreation Research and Education Centre (TRREC), New Zealand’s leading tourism research organisation.
The research around global oil prices follows on from an early TRREC study which examined indicators of energy intensity for New Zealand’s top 10 international visitor markets. It aims to provide tourism industry organisation with a set of policies, systems and products to manage the risk of further oil prices rises and maintain economic yield from international markets. Lincoln University will manage and lead the research contract with the associated involvement of the Ministry of Tourism, Landcare Research and Covec Ltd, a private-sector research unit.
The “spatial yield” programme will aim to improve the financial yield per visitor by developing a model for identifying the spending patterns of various types of tourists and itineraries, so that new tourism products and interventions can be developed. The model will be available to a range of tourism planning organisations, including Local Government New Zealand and Ngai Tahu Tourism, and will also be used by Transit New Zealand. Key research providers are the Department of Conservation and the Ministry of Tourism.
Lincoln University’s Professor of Tourism David Simmons says the research is vital to plan for a robust and adaptive tourism sector.
“Tourism contributes 19 percent of New Zealand’s export revenue, but is highly vulnerable to the price of oil. It is critical that these risks are managed to that the industry contribution to the economy, currently around $8.1 billion per year, can be maintained and grown.
“The development of tourism sector model of visitors’ choices and spending decisions is an important goal for an industry which needs to improve financial yield to encourage further investment. A five percent increase in yield will produce an additional $33million in export revenue.
“The success of these programmes in this latest funding round is a milestone for the tourism sector. It is also a reflection of the strong collaborations that have been formed with key stakeholders in tourism planning, and the linkages we have with the industry,” says Professor Simmons.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
David Simmons
Professor of Tourism
Phone: +64 3 325 2811
Mobile: 0274 224 6663
Elizabeth Owens
Communications Manager
Phone: +64 325 2811
Mobile: 0274 290 6019