Representing our members
Advocacy
Advocacy is a core part of BYATA's role. We represent New Zealand's youth, backpacker and adventure tourism sector, working to influence policies and industry developments that support our members and strengthen the visitor economy.
Our work covers immediate issues affecting businesses, as well as longer-term priorities such as workforce planning, tourism investment, infrastructure and the recognition of youth tourism's contribution to New Zealand.
2026 AGM Advocacy Update
Read about BYATA's advocacy priorities and the issues we are progressing on behalf of members.
Read the advocacy update →How we advocate
BYATA works with tourism associations, government agencies and industry partners to share information, raise concerns and build a collective voice. Advocacy can take time, and not all work is visible publicly. Our Chair and Advocacy Working Group manage this work and determine the most effective approach for each issue.
Working together across tourism
BYATA maintains relationships across the tourism sector, including Immigration New Zealand, Tourism New Zealand, Regional Tourism Organisations New Zealand, Tourism Industry Aotearoa, Hospitality New Zealand, Go With Tourism and Māori tourism organisations.
Working collaboratively helps us understand the wider industry landscape and advocate for the specific needs of youth and adventure tourism businesses.
Our advocacy priorities
Our key areas of focus include workforce and immigration settings, tourism investment, industry capability, research and responsible visitor management.
Working Holiday Visas
Advocating for New Zealand to remain an attractive working holiday destination, with more international working holiday visitors contributing to tourism businesses and regional economies. We support better promotion, clear applicant information and effective pathways into seasonal employment.
Working holiday information →Immigration and workforce
Working with Immigration New Zealand and other stakeholders to improve understanding of our sector, identify processing issues and support practical immigration settings. We also recognise the importance of prioritising New Zealand workers when hiring.
Immigration updates and statistics →Tourism workforce transition
Contributing to tourism workforce and industry transition planning so that initiatives are realistic for operators, reflect the capability of the sector and support genuine improvements in business performance and tourism outcomes.
Tourism funding and infrastructure
Advocating for appropriate investment in tourism infrastructure and destinations. Tourism contributes significantly to the economy, and funding approaches should recognise visitor impacts, support local infrastructure and provide businesses with reasonable time to adjust to policy changes.
Research and insights
Supporting better-quality, timely tourism data to help businesses, government and industry organisations make informed decisions. Stronger evidence about youth and adventure visitors can help demonstrate their wider economic and regional contribution.
Read the Lifetime Value Model →Tourism marketing and regional dispersal
Supporting initiatives that promote New Zealand to youth and adventure travellers, encourage visits beyond the main centres and help spread visitor demand across regions and seasons.
Quality and responsible tourism
Supporting safe, quality visitor experiences and constructive approaches to responsible camping and visitor management. We advocate for practical, consistent policies that recognise community needs while considering the commercial viability of tourism and campground operators.
Education and industry capability
Providing opportunities for members to share knowledge and improve business capability through conferences, workshops, webinars and engagement with industry experts and partners.
Resources
Explore these resources for further information on BYATA's work and the contribution of youth tourism.
2026 Election Candidate Briefing → Lifetime Value Model →
Have an issue you want BYATA to raise?
Member feedback is essential to effective advocacy. If you are experiencing an issue affecting your business or the wider sector, please contact a Board member or get in touch with BYATA. Sharing your experiences helps us identify common challenges and build evidence to support our advocacy.
Contact BYATA →