VisitorPoint: Knowing the value of a living wage

VisitorPoint staff all receive the Living Wage v2
VisitorPoint staff all receive the Living Wage v2

Key Points

  • The brochure distribution company raised all staff wages from a minimum of $17.70 to at least $21.15 on 1 July.
  • All future VisitorPoint employees will also be entitled to the Living Wage.
  • The financial decision brought the company in line with their sustainable employment goals.
  • The move followed VisitorPoint’s ongoing environmental sustainability commitment to offsetting all carbon emissions from flights.

 

VisitorPoint is New Zealand’s largest distributor of tourism information, with 30 years’ experience distributing brochures throughout the country.

People matter

The shift to a Living Wage for all was viewed as the next logical step for the company, enabling it to support and retain an already loyal and committed workforce.

“As a company we genuinely believe our staff deserve this commitment from us as they are our most important asset, and we’re excited to be able to support them in this way,” says General Manager Jenni Powell.

“We’re trying hard to make changes which improve our business while taking sustainability into consideration; it’s all part of a journey for us.”

Passing on the benefit

As well as supporting current staff, Jenni hopes a Living Wage will enable internal growth as tourism businesses continue to grow throughout the country.

Currently operating warehouses in three tourism hot-spots which each have a higher-than-average cost of living – Christchurch, Auckland and Queenstown – the decision is an example of responsible tourism business practices helping host communities to thrive.

VisitorPoint’s Living Wage commitment aligns with Business Commitment 9: Sustainable Employment – ‘Businesses pay a fair wage to all staff’ and Business Commitment 10: Quality Employment – ‘Businesses support their workforce to flourish and succeed’.

VisitorPoint’s decision also supports the Host Community Industry Goal – ‘Tourism businesses are desirable and responsible employers, and leaders in engaging and supporting vibrant communities’.