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Working in Tourism

Tourism careers range from guiding and customer service roles, through to management, marketing and policy.

Tourism is one of New Zealand’s most important export industries. It employs one in ten New Zealanders and offers a wide range of exciting and fun career pathways.

There are job opportunities in every part of New Zealand, often in regions where there are few other industries – including in some of the most beautiful parts of our country.

If you enjoy working with people and are passionate about sharing everything that is unique and special about New Zealand, the tourism industry could be the place for you.

Career opportunities range from frontline customer service, tour guiding and adventure tourism/outdoor guiding, through to business owners, marketers, managers, researchers, consultants and policy developers.

Many tourism businesses are small owner-run enterprises, that include everything from farm shows, wildlife parks, historical attractions and guided city tours, to horse trekking, bungy jumping, jetboating and alpine trekking. There are also larger businesses that manage a range of tourism attractions or provide support services such as campervan rental.

The tourism industry will allow you to develop a broad range of skills that can be transferred to other tourism businesses, here in New Zealand and all over the world. Many of the skills you will learn in tourism are also valuable to a range of other sectors, such as how to give great customer service, manage a team or effectively promote a product to customers.

Many tourism businesses are seven day a week operations, so flexible hours to suit your lifestyle are often available.

This sector offers careers for school leavers and others looking for a new career direction. People working in tourism have a sense of fun and a passion for welcoming and hosting visitors. Whether they are managers or business owners, or frontline staff, you’ll find the tourism industry a friendly, welcoming and exciting place to be, with a wide range of career pathways.