Go with Tourism and ServiceIQ have today announced coinciding Tourism and Hospitality competitions for Year 12 and 13 students nationwide, culminating in an ‘Aotearoa Experience’ grand prize.

Two challenges – one for Tourism and the other for Hospitality – will each take place in Terms 1, 2 and 3. Students must enter all three challenges in the same category to be eligible to win the grand prize, announced 13 September.

The goal of the year-long initiative is to help young New Zealanders understand more about the wide-ranging careers available in Tourism and Hospitality and encourage students to consider these sectors when deciding on further education or entry into the workforce.

It is these outcomes which originally brought Go with Tourism and ServiceIQ together at the end of 2020 to form a partnership. Throughout 2021, ServiceIQ teaching resources will be supported by the Go with Tourism Education Programme delivered in secondary schools around the country.

Go with Tourism Programme Director, Matt Stenton, says that it is vital for the future workforce of Tourism and Hospitality that our rangatahi understand and are excited about the career opportunities available. “These are industries where happiness equals success – not just for customers, we need engaged employees too. So, we hope that our competitions can inspire the creativity, entrepreneurship and passion in our students that is needed in our future workforce.”

Doug Pouwhare, General Manager – Talent Supply & Transitions for ServiceIQ, notes that Aotearoa’s service sectors, particularly hospitality and tourism, will be drivers for economic success as the economy recovers from the pandemic. “In the next five years, there will be around 80,000 job openings. That’s a lot of opportunity across many exciting roles that can lead to great careers. Many, like cookery, are also global passports because the skills you learn are sought after around the world.”

The competitions have been designed to support and align with the current Tourism and Hospitality curriculum, are free to enter and submissions may align wholly or as part of related Unit Standard assessment requirements.

The Hospitality competition is limited to students of Tourism and Hospitality subjects; whereas the Tourism competition is open to any Year 12 or 13 students who have an interest in pursuing this industry as a career.

“Unlike many other industries Tourism is not limited to those who study it, so we wanted to reflect this in the competition,” says Stenton. “People with interests in business, marketing, photography, helping others and more will find their way into this sector because the career opportunities are so wide ranging.”

Term 3 – Tourism & Hospitality Competitions are now open!  To win a Term 3 cash prize, entries need to be submitted by 20 August 2021. 

Written by Helen Shaw, Marketing Communications Manager