Tourism

The earliest record of annual international tourist numbers to New Zealand was 5,233 in 1903. International tourism growth was very slow until it took off in the 1960s. Growth was especially strong during the 1990s and 2000s, and in the year to March 2009 there were 2.4 million international tourists.

Tourism is now New Zealand's biggest export industry, contributing 20.4% of total exports. Tourism generates a direct annual contribution to GDP of $16.2 billion, or 5.8%, and a further indirect contribution of $11.2 billion, another 4% of New Zealand's total GDP.

Tourism employs almost 10% of New Zealand's population. From the beginning, appeal to international tourist centred on the mountains, forests, lakes and geysers and led New Zealand to be ‘the wonder-country’. Highlights were Milford Sound, the Whanganui River and the thermal area of Rotorua. The industry has since become more complex, providing a wealth of cultural, adventure and nature activities, servicing different types of tourists, from independent travellers to guided coach parties.

Choice of activities

• Experience local tourist attractions; eg. Glow Worm Caves, Black Water Rafting or the Kiwi Culture Show in Waitomo OR Te Puia, the Gondola and Luge, the Agrodome or the Polynesian Pools in Rotorua.
• Presentations and discussions with experts from the local museum or Regional Tourism Organisation on tourism development in the region.
• Survey visitors to gain and understanding of their origins and preferences.
• Make field sketches from a viewpoint (eg. the top of the Skyline gondola) to provide an overview of local land-use and spatial patterns in the tourism industry.
• Collect data on, for example, the location of accommodation facilities in relation to key attractions.

New Zealand Certificate of Educational Achievement

Geography

• AS 91427 3.2 Demonstrate understanding of how a cultural process shapes geographic environment(s).

FAQ

Q1. Why do teachers choose to tour with Learning Journeys?

Using an outside provider like Learning Journeys allows you to avoid stress and save time to focus on the core demands of teaching and have more time with your family and friends.

• Trips are well tried and tested and our local knowledge, New Zealand-wide, is extensive. • We’ll facilitate your trip as well as planning, recce-ing AND booking it (including transport, food and accommodation). Have as much or as little input as you want.
• Our facilitators are secondary geography or science teachers with years of classroom as well as EOTC experience.
• Trips are curriculum linked and can include NCEA assessment tasks.
• RAMS forms, parents letters, gear lists and worksheets developed and provided for you.
• We’re Qualmarked (Tourism New Zealand has checked us out as a safe, professional, company) and Dept. of Conservation approved.

Q2. Does it cost more for Learning Journeys to organise and run my school's science and geography trips?

Yes it does cost a little more per student. However, you need to factor in the time you'll save by using Learning Journeys. You will also save the cost of relief for staff who would otherwise have come from your school, since Learning Journeys will provide one or more facilitators who will contribute to staff-student ratios.

Q3. What about risk management?

Safety is always paramount in our trip planning and delivery. We are acutely aware of the responsibility of being entrusted with other people’s children. We will provide you with RAMS forms for all activities included in your programme.

Our Health and Safety Plan deals with every aspect of our operations and training. Hazard identification is carried out for every new activity and a RAMS (Risk Analysis and Management System) form is prepared. This process has been audited both by a Department of Conservation approved Safety Auditor and as part of our Qualmark® accreditation

Our teacher-facilitators are trained in safe practice and all have First Aid qualifications. The suppliers we use are fully qualified and experienced in their specialist areas and where available we choose to work with Qualmarked® operators. Their sound safety records are further guaranteed by the Qualmark®, accreditation process.
Qualmark® is New Zealand tourism's official mark of quality. All accommodation and tourism businesses carrying the Qualmark® have been independently assessed as professional and trustworthy, so you can book and buy with confidence.

Q4. Who are your facilitators?

Our trips are managed and facilitated by qualified science or social science secondary teachers with classroom experience as well as many years’ experience in the field.

Q5. How long have you been running field trips for New Zealand secondary students?

Since 2001. Our oldest client did 12 consecutive yearly 3 day trips to Goat Island and Tiritiri Matangi Island. Most other schools repeat trips year after year.