The Tourism Export Council says the Provincial Growth Fund will be a real shot in the arm for the regions being targeted initially.
TECNZ CEO Judy Chen says her organisation is delighted that regional tourism product developments are among the first to benefit from initial round of the PGF.
She says the identified new tourism ventures will be attractive for international tourists and TEC members will work with providers to look at including them in future tourist itineraries.
The $1 billion per annum fund was launched in Gisborne on Friday and aims to enhance economic development, create sustainable jobs and contribute to community well-being. The first regional packages will support Northland, Tairāwhiti-East Coast, Hawke’s Bay and Manawatū-Whanganui and the West Coast of the South Island.
PGF tourism investment announced includes $4.6m towards the Manea Footprints of Kupe Cultural Heritage and Education Centre in Opononi and $1m for 2019’s first encounter commemorations in Gisborne.
Ms Chen says these type of developments are in huge demand by international tourists and will help address the regional dispersal challenges the industry faces i.e. creating opportunities outside the usual hotspots to both spread the tourism load and boost regional economic development.
“Feedback from our members is that overseas tourists want authentic New Zealand experiences and will travel distances to the regions to experience them. Inbound tourism operators have a crucial role to play in supporting such tourism ventures and it’s very exciting to see where the regional funding is going. We are very pleased.”
ENDS
For more information contact:
Judy Chen
027 6644 836
CEO@tourismexportcouncil.org.nz
About the Tourism Export Council of New Zealand
The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ) is a trade association that represents the interests of the inbound tourism industry. Its membership includes inbound tour operators (Inbound Members) and attraction, activity, accommodation and transport suppliers (Allied Members). TEC members collectively handle most of New Zealand’s international visitor arrivals. For more information visit www.tourismexportcouncil.org.nz.