Thursday, November 20, 2008

John's Key's " first crisis"

The DomPost describes the 200 jobs that Air NZ is shedding as John Key's first crisis.

Key says;

"It's quite clear that tourism as a whole will be at risk with the economic slowdown as we see less demand from overseas. My job over the next few months is to work with the tourism industry to do what we can to ensure we pick up a larger share of what is currently a declining international market."

Chief of Tourism New Zealand, George Hickton, has been quite vociferous of late however about Kiwis staying home. He says it would be better for the domestic market if New Zealanders spent their holidays and money in New Zealand. When I heard him expressing this view to Bill Ralston on Radio Live (can't listen to Susan Wood) I immediately thought, it'll be great if his counterparts overseas are doing the same and succeeding - not. I wonder if he and his new Minister can agree on a strategy that does not include tourist protectionism.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Months ago I heard someone from Air NZ on a radio station suggesting that one of the competitors would have to fall over soon - the implication being that it couldn't possibly be them. Air NZ need an urgent shake up - they have appalling customer service and an even worse complaints proceedure (ignore it). Have been ashamed to be a New Zealander on international flights when the flight attendent told a passenger that their Kosher meal is a huge inconvenience to everyone on board, or the poor man with ear problems who was told he shouldn't have got on a plane with the flu.