A tourism researcher says the industry needs a single point of contact , but he is stopping short of calling for a ministry.
Lincoln University professor David Simmons compiles an annual report on the health of the sector.
Professor Simmons said central government does well out of tourism, but the single biggest investor is local government, which can be challenged dealing with things like the big increase in freedom campers.
He said there needed to be one point of contact, which at the moment, by default, was the Department of Conservation.