Strategy may help industry thrive: Govt

WELLINGTON: With more than five million tourists predicted to visit New Zealand by 2024, it is sink or swim for the tourism industry.

But there are hopes the Government’s new tourism strategy may help the industry not only cope, but thrive.

The strategy, announced yesterday, focuses on sustainable tourism growth and sharing the benefits of tourism across regions.

The Government confirmed the $35 tourist tax, announced earlier this year, will be split between the conservation and tourism sectors.

Half of the forecast $80 million take will be spent directly on conservation. The other half will go into tourism.

Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage said New Zealand’s environment would be first to benefit from this.

‘‘I think it will be a lot on biodiversity protection, but also in the spending of the levy in the tourism part there’s provision for at least 10% going to planning and capability development.’’

Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis said growing visitor numbers have demanded a new approach.

Last year, there were 3.7 million visitors. But in five years there could be as many as 5.1 million visitors.

Mayors around the country are looking to cover the cost of muchneeded infrastructure as regional New Zealand braces for the onslaught of summer tourists.

Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Jim Boult said his district’s needs would not be met by what was on offer.

‘‘The half of the levy that’s available for tourism is less than we need as our area in isolation so, no, it’s not going to solve our problems,’’ he said.

Instead his council is in discussion with the Government to find a solution.

Waitaki District Mayor Gary Kircher said the different regions needed to work with each other and share funds around, and the strategy needed to ensure tourists and locals got along.

The tourism industry is releasing its own updated framework tomorrow at the Tourism Summit Aotearoa.

Industry group chief executive, Chris Roberts, said its own goals are closely aligned with what the government has outlined in its strategy yesterday. — RNZ