NZ Mining decision heeds tourism feedback

The New Zealand Government's decision not to undertake new mining in national parks is a great result for the tourism industry, according to the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIANZ).
As TIANZ Chief Executive Tim Cossar explains âthis is the result that the majority of our members will welcome.
âNational parks are anchors of the international perception of this countryâs green and clean image. Our members felt additional mining in these pristine environments could have harmed our reputation, affecting not only tourism but the many other industries that leverage off 100% Pure New Zealand.
âWe are not against mining, but TIANZ members told us they generally oppose new mining in national parks.�?
Cossar says tourism operators will also welcome the governmentâs decision to proceed with its proposal to add 12,400 hectares of land to Schedule 4, including all national parks and marine reserves.
The tourism industry contributes more than 9.1% of gross domestic product (GDP), reaching $21.7 billion in visitor expenditure a year. It is one of the countryâs largest generators of economic wealth and jobs for New Zealanders.
âWe are confident the financial contribution tourism will make to the New Zealand economy, now and in the decades to come, will continue to grow, with national parks at the forefront of our international visitor brand.�?
Read TIANZâs submission on the mining proposals:

http://www.tianz.org.nz/main/conservation