John Key's being touted as the force that helped tourism regain its position as our biggest export sector.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Chris Roberts said Mr Key's ensured the importance of tourism is recognised at the highest levels of government.

He said a recent example of this is the response to the Kaikoura earthquake and the government's help in the recovery of the region's tourism sector.

"While his availability to get around the country as tourism minister was affected (by being prime minister) it would be hard to find anyone in the industry who wasn't impressed by him," said Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Chris Roberts.

Previous tourism ministers had a much lower ranking in Cabinet.

"On every overseas trip he has done there was a tourism element to it and he was able to clear some hurdles at prime minister to prime minister level," said Mr Roberts.

"The tourism industry was grateful he took the portfolio in 2008 and gave it profile much in the same way that Helen Clark did with culture and heritage."

He had "very capable" associate ministers who were able to support him with the detail of the portfolio.

In 2013 Mr Key boosted the Tourism New Zealand budget by $158 million over three years.

"The big boost to the tourism marketing budget to position New Zealand was welcome. The introduction of the border clearance levy (last year) was less welcome."

Mr Roberts said Mr Key had been personally affected by the letters from relatives of people who had died in adventure tourism accidents.

This had helped lead to a world standard health and safety regime.

Mr Roberts hopes the next Prime Minister recognises the importance of tourism in the same way.

Meanwhile, the Property Institute is applauding the work of the Prime Minister over his eight years in office.

Chief executive Ashley Church said Mr Key is a Prime Minister of the people.

He said he's placed the country in an enviable economic position - which is owed in part to his ability to instill confidence in the public.

Mr Church said while the institute is sometimes at odds with the Government when it comes to the housing crisis - it's only a crisis because of that strong economy.

He said Mr Key has done incredibly well in making New Zealand an attractive place to live.