] NEWS: Key announces commitment to tourism sector - Rt Hon John Key
News release

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29 October 2008
NEWS: Key announces commitment to tourism sector

National Party Leader John Key today confirmed that if elected Prime Minister he intends to take the ministerial tourism portfolio.

To view National's tourism policy go to: 
http://national.org.nz/files/2008/tourism_policy.pdf

He today addressed the Tourism Industry Association in Queenstown and commented on the release of National's tourism policy.

"Tourism is responsible for about 9% of GDP, and it employs about one in ten working New Zealanders. So aside from anything else it is an industry that is particularly important in maintaining and boosting this country's employment and growth prospects.

"There is also another reason why it interests me. Tourism is about celebrating New Zealand's magnificent landscape, its wildlife, and its people.

"I would feel privileged to have the opportunity to be involved in promoting New Zealand overseas. There is a unique beauty in this country, something we are all rightly proud of.

"New Zealand the destination is one of the things in which I see us having a real competitive advantage over many other countries. Maximising that advantage is going to be crucially important to ensure we get through the current world economic challenges and on to a faster growth path

"There are many opportunities for New Zealand to forge ahead – provided we take a focused co-ordinated approach to our international activities.

"That's why I believe there would be an obvious role for me to use the office of Prime Minister to pro-actively advance the cause of the New Zealand brand by leading our marketing activities.

"As part of that I will ensure that all our international agencies, be they Tourism New Zealand, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, all work more closely together, effectively as the external arm of "NZ Inc'.

"I will be seeking a strong cross-agency focus on marketing New Zealand in all the major markets we operate in.
"A National Government will also work to maximise the brand benefit New Zealand can draw from hosting Rugby World Cup 2011. We will work with the organisers to ensure the success of the event as a fantastic opportunity to showcase New Zealand.

"The gloss has been coming off our tourism numbers in recent times as the world economy enters a recession. We are going to have to work a lot smarter, all of us, to keep the numbers up, and more importantly to maximise the economic return New Zealand gets from tourism and trade

"While times are getting tough right now, the future for tourism is bright. You are a vital part of the economic engine that drives New Zealand and you will be celebrated and encouraged by my Government."

To view National's tourism policy go to: 
http://national.org.nz/files/2008/tourism_policy.pdf

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#1 - Lorraine Mann 2008-10-29 15:25 - (Reply)

We are a 5 star luxury lodge conference centre in Warkworth and have been desperate to refinance for 10 months as our mortgage company want their money back, but there is no finance available here or overseas. We are about to be put up for mortagee sale even though the business is doing well. What can you do for the small business people to keep us alive and functioning?

#2 - andy 2008-10-30 21:04 - (Reply)

Good stuff, and I completely agree about the wisdom of focus on quality/yield rather than quantity of tourists. Genuine question though re - "Make the changes necessary in New Zealand to ensure our environmental performance matches our rhetoric in our international marketing." My overall impression of National's approach to the environment is that it doesn't appear to be a priority - happy to dam rivers, go easier on carbon footprints, priority on roads rather than PT etc , encourage more spread out cities, not sure where the party is on biodiversity. So question is - what in concrete terms is National planning to make sure that " environmental performance meets rhetoric." ?? Regards

#3 - R Thomas 2008-10-31 09:45 - (Reply)

Great to see National’s top dog put up his hand up in Queenstown and say he'd take the Tourism portfolio. Fantastic news for NZ tourism operators! Queenstown as a destination is a jewel in the NZ tourism crown. With its large visitor numbers and tourism activity it generates significant tax revenue for the government. Sadly however Queenstown is ripped off time and time again when it comes to basic infrastructure. Traffic management, roading and public transport, parking, water and sewage issues seem to be the continuous burden on local rate payers with very little assistance from Government. Maternity, mental health and elderly care are virtually non-existent. Emergency services – we still have a volunteer fire brigade, we have no A&E and hospital service similar to that of small rural NZ. God help us if there was a mass casualty plane of bus crash. It would be good to see a chuck of tourism tax revenue generated channeled into Queenstown infrastructure for visitors and locals alike. Then we really would have a world class offering in Queenstown for the NZ tourism boast about.

#4 - Paul Fuimaono said:
2008-12-03 23:05 - (Reply)

Hi John, I run a tour business that specialises in 1 day tours of Auckland. One of the most difficult challenges is getting around Auckland in the traffic. Visitors are astounded with the traffic volumes for a city of only 1.4 million. Sure it is problematic after 3pm in rush hour. One of the biggest observations has been the empty bus lanes. Being a tour bus operator i'm not able to use these lanes. Can this be fixed? It really is a concern that the bus lanes are empty 10-15mins at a time while our visitor ponder on Auckland being just another big chocked up city.


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