Tourism industry keen to partner with New Zealand Government on revitalisation

Tourism Industry Aotearoa has advised that it is looking forward to working with the New Zealand Government on its plan to build the sector in the future.

The commitment follows New Zealand Tourism Minister Stuart Nash’s revealing details of the $200 million Tourism Communities: Support, Recovery and Re-set Plan at the TRENZ Hui 2021 conference in Christchurch today.

Welcoming the plan, Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) Chief Executive, Chris Roberts (pictured) stated “more than 700 New Zealand tourism operators attending TRENZ Hui 2021 in Christchurch this week have shown they are committed to the sustainable future of our industry.

“Tourism Minister Stuart Nash’s announcement today of a Tourism Industry Transformation Plan is the next step in this process.”

To provide immediate assistance, Minister Nash announced a new tourism support package today at TRENZ Hui 2021, with 12 separate initiatives.

Roberts advised “TIA has been calling for targeted support because the impact of closed borders varies from region to region, sector to sector, and business to business. The Tasman travel bubble has been a help but for some businesses, recovery is still a long way off.

“The Government has recognised that the tourism industry still faces a long road to recovery, and needs the support of the Government to ensure the industry can contribute to creating jobs, enhancing the environment, and contributing to communities across the country.”

The package announced today will support the five South Island regions that have been particularly hard hit by the lack of international visitors. It also provides funding for Inbound Tour Operators and Regional Tourism Organisations, recognising their importance in the tourism system.

TIA is also pleased to see the Government has heeded its call for the Department of Conservation concession fee waiver scheme to be continued beyond 30th June, with Roberts adding “this measure will provide immediate relief for 1000 tourism businesses that operate on the public conservation estate.”

Regional Tourism New Zealand has welcomed Minister Nash’s announcement of a further funding package for Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs).

Regional Tourism New Zealand Chair, David Perks noted “the allocated $26 million will allow RTOs to continue building and implementing sustainable, resilient destination management plans, as well as promote their regions, building on the momentum of domestic tourism found since the national lockdown.

“This will ensure tourism businesses in each region are well placed to prosper as the sector rebuilds from the dark days of the Covid pandemic.”