New Zealand Backpacker, Youth and Adventure Tourism Association

NZbackpack.com is the website of the New Zealand Backpacker, Youth and Adventure Tourism Association (BYATA). The website exists for the industry to communicate with one another, discussing topics that directly affect us as tourism businesses and working together to make our sector of the New Zealand industry to continue to be one of the strongest.

Backpacking is not a new industry but for many in established tourism sectors it has only just come onto their radar. We believe that it is essential the industry work together to make sure the backpacking, youth and adventure travel sector in New Zealand is well promoted globally and regulated in a way which ensures the industry is profitable and sustainable for all industry members.

BYATA is open to anyone interested in this sector of New Zealand tourism. An elected group of volunteers meet every two months to steer the organisation, These "board-meetings" are followed by an open industry forum where everyone is invited to discuss any topics relevant to the sector followed of course by the obligatory networking late into the evening.

Some of the initiatives BYATA intend to work on in 2010/2011 include:

  • Ongoing work with Tourism New Zealand with marketing strategies to the youth/backpacking sector which has seen over 3 million dollars spent so far in 2010 on the Go All the Way campaign.
  • Working with Tourism New Zealand to organise funding for a New Zealand village and trade mission to WSTYC in 2010
  • Working with Tourism New Zealand and TIA to bid for the hosting of the World Youth Student Tourism Conference in 2012
  • Working with Qualmark for a review of assessment criteria of backpacker accommodation... and much more

As a member of BYATA you have the opportunity to have your voice heard from within a well organised structure. A 12 month membership gets you access to the latest updates from the BYATA board, access to the member forums for industry debate and discussion, discounted entry to the annual backpacker conference, voting rights at the annual board meeting and more opportunities to market with Tourism New Zealand. Click here to join BYATA