Media Releases

This page details the Media Releases that have been recently issued by ITOC:

Top tour operators recognised by industry (Current)
Inbound operators meeting tourism challenges (Current)
GST increase takes shine off tourism marketing boost
GST increase will penalise inbound tour operators
Inbound tourism operators urge caution on GST increase
Travel and tourism associations support Trans Tasman border changes
Distinction Luxmore Hotel wins ITOC Operator of the Year Award
2010 ITOC conference to be held in Marlborough
Prime Minister delivers GST tax certainty to tourism operators
ITOC Full Member Tour Operators Turn 100% Qualmark in Time for TRENZ
Inbound tourism operators wary of possible increase in GST
ITOC supports push for better government partnership with tourism industry
Tourism operators release 2001 written agreements with IRD
Tourism operators delighted with National Party commitment to listen to industry concerns on $30m GST rort
Tourism operators expect support from O'Connor over $30m GST rort
Inbound tour operators support call for next Government to get serious about tourism
Tourism Operators Squeezed by Road User Charge Increase
ITOC Joins PATA to Provide Global Perspective for Members
New Board Members for ITOC
ITOC Backs Tourism Strategy
ITOC Launches New Brand

ITOC Full Member Tour Operators Turn 100% Qualmark in Time for TRENZ
Date: 9 June 2009

All inbound tour operator full members of the Inbound Tour Operators Council (ITOC) are now Qualmark accredited. 

This follows a year long process after ITOC members agreed to amend their membership criteria so that all Full Members would be required to successfully complete an annual Qualmark assessment based on criteria jointly determined by Qualmark and ITOC. This system measures individual Members’ performance against a set of minimum requirements in relation to a number of factors including customer service, facilities and equipment, environmental responsibility, health and safety and the selection and management of product suppliers. 

Paul Yeo, chief executive of ITOC said: “We allowed a year for all our members to undergo the process and make any necessary changes to the way they operate so that they could make the grade. We’re very pleased that the point has now been reached where every ITOC Full Member is now Qualmark accredited.” 

“Inbound Tour Operator full members are key to the delivery of high quality experiences for international visitors” said Geoff Penrose, Chief Executive of Qualmark. “All full ITOC members have now achieved Qualmark accreditation as endorsed inbound tour operators which is a significant and commendable effort. It raises the standard and helps assure that ITOC members and the businesses they represent will deliver 100% on the Pure New Zealand experience”. 

Mr Yeo said that currently there are 34 inbound tour operators who are Qualmark accredited Full Members of ITOC with several others continuing to undergo the assessment process in the hope of attaining membership.

“The majority of our Allied supplier members are also Qualmark accredited so it was only natural that Full Members decided to work with Qualmark to design a new category attuned to the subtleties of running an inbound tour operation,” said Mr Yeo. 

ITOC members are well represented at this week’s TRENZ Trade Show in Auckland with over 80% of all exhibitors being ITOC members.

Qualmark Background: 

Qualmark New Zealand Limited is New Zealand tourism's official quality agency. It is a government and private sector partnership between Tourism New Zealand and New Zealand Automobile Association. Qualmark licenses professional and trustworthy New Zealand tourism businesses to use the Qualmark 'tourism's official quality mark' to help international and domestic travelers select places to stay, things to do and ways to get around.

ITOC Background:

The Inbound Tour Operators Council of NZ was founded in 1971. It represents 250 tour operators and suppliers throughout the country who package, distribute and market New Zealand tourism products and services internationally.

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