New Government investment in the tourism industry will help it seize international opportunities and grow its contribution to New Zealand’s economy, the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) says.
Innovation is vital to keep New Zealand on the radar for international travellers, TIA Chairman Norm Thompson says.
He says to provide the best foundation for New Zealand’s international tourism marketing, “we need to ensure we have the strongest possible foundations on the ground”.
“New Zealand has some of the most innovative tourism operators in the world and the new Tourism Growth Partnership will help us develop more world-leading ideas and respond to new market opportunities,” Thompson says.
TIA has worked with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to develop the criteria for the type of projects that could qualify for Tourism Growth Partnership funding.
The Tourism Growth Partnership’s focus on boosting innovation and lifting productivity supports the work TIA is doing to lead the development of a National Tourism Plan.
Due to be launched at the 2013 TIA Summit in Wellington on 1 October, the National Tourism Plan will set targets and provide direction for the tourism industry through to 2025.
Its objective is to generate substantively higher growth with a focus on value, increased private sector investment, improved sector productivity and public sector support, all underpinning a world-class visitor experience.
“We welcome the confidence the Government is showing in the tourism industry. I’m confident that we will be able to repay its investment many times over with significant growth in the NZD$9.6 billion that international visitors currently spend each year and the creation of many more jobs throughout the country,” Thompson says.