Kia ora and goodbye from Tourism NZ chief

Outgoing Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton yesterday reiterated his greatest wish: that Kiwis adopt "kia ora" as a ubiquitous national greeting.

Speaking in Queenstown during the first of five regional tourism updates, Mr Hickton said he would love to hear more New Zealanders using the phrase.

Some airlines and individuals readily used kia ora, but many people were cautious about saying it or spoke it in just a whisper, he said.

"Get over it. We're a South Pacific country, we're in this environment. It's fantastic."

The audience of tourism operators was told the New Zealand inbound tourism market had weathered the global economic downturn "incredibly well" compared to other countries.

Visitor arrivals were down 1 per cent this year, compared to 2 per cent in Australia and 8-9 per cent in Canada and the United Kingdom, Mr Hickton said.

The greatest challenge for the local market in the next five years would be extending its successful 100% Pure brand to the fastest growing markets, China and India, where it was not well understood.

Yesterday was Mr Hickton's last visit to Queenstown in his role as Tourism New Zealand chief executive. He leaves office on Tuesday.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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