Further to TRM’s shopping list – see Daily Report for Friday – begging DoC for some river maps for world famous tourist rivers – Waitahanui, Hinemaiaia & Tauranga-Taupo.
These are for more than just anglers as the river trails are used regularly by tourist walkers and bikers. TRM Reports have been exposing the crowding and parking issues – see images below – on the Tongariro Crossing (NZ’s most popular one day walk) for years so at long last that will be fixed.
Now there is no excuse to delay development of the most popular tourist bike trail – the T2T – Taupo to Turangi bike trail around the edge.
Govt reveals $136m boost for tourism infrastructure and DoC
Author- Grant Bradley, NZ Herald,
- Thursday, 11 May 2017,
The fund, which includes $41.5m already allocated, will provide $100 million over the next four years in partnership with local councils and other community organisations, for projects like new carparks, toilets and freedom camping facilities.
“Tourism is hugely important to New Zealand. It creates jobs and brings in billions of dollars to the economy. That’s why it’s important that we keep investing so we continue to attract high-value tourists and give them an amazing visitor experience,” said Bennett.
“The fund is about helping communities respond to demand and addressing capacity constraints. It will also facilitate future growth in some of our newer tourism regions as well as the main tourist hubs,” she said in the pre-budget announcement at the Trenz tourism industry sales event in Auckland.
A $76m funding increase for DoC will be allocated to upgrade and develop tourist facilities on conservation land and to expand the great walks network.
An NZ Herald series last week highlighted pressure on tourism infrastructure and on parts of the national park network as the number of international tourists surges to record levels.
In the past year around $17m has been earmarked for infrastructure in small centres during four years which had been seen as a good start. The industry had suggested a $100 fund for infrastructure 18 months ago.
This fund announced today is made up of $60.5 million in new money from this month’s budget and $41.5 million in funds which have been reprioritised from the Tourism Growth Partnership and the Regional Mid-sized Tourism Facilities Grant Fund.
Of that, $2m over four years has been provided to manage it.
Bennett said the fund would provide infrastructure such as toilets and carparks, ”but we’re also prepared to consider projects like visitor information centres, and feasibility studies for infrastructure projects on a case-by-case basis.”
The industry had told the government that infrastructure is their top priority and the government had responded, she said.
Tourism numbers
• Annual total spend $34.7b, up 12.2 per cent
• Domestic $20.2b, up 7.4 per cent
• International $14.5b, up 19.6 per cent
• Record arrival numbers: 3.5m in 2016, up 12 per cent
”We’re moving from a focus of just boosting tourist numbers to also attracting higher-value tourists to all regions. This funding will ensure we have the capacity to do that.”
Successful projects would be co-funded by applicants, who would need to show that other funding options have been fully exhausted.
“Government is stepping in to help ensure we have the right infrastructure to support this important industry, especially in areas with high visitor numbers but small ratepayer bases.”
However, local government still has the lead role to play in building and maintaining that infrastructure. The private sector was also playing its part by investing in new and expanded commercial attractions and hotels, she said.
“Government will continue to work with councils and the industry to consider larger tourism projects which will be funded outside of the Tourism Infrastructure Fund. We’ve done this in the past with the Hundertwasser Art Centre in Northland and we’re open to considering other opportunities.
Last year international tourism expenditure reached $14.5 billion, which is more than 20 per cent of New Zealand’s total exports of goods and services.
Bennett said it was also a significant employer, generating around 188,000 jobs directly, and a further 144,000 indirectly.
Tourism study shows Kiwis are concerned about tourism impacts
A new study for Tourism New Zealand and Tourism Industry Aotearoa shows 21 percent of New Zealanders are worried that too many overseas tourists are visiting.
Although the majority overwhelmingly support international tourism, some say it puts too much pressure on New Zealand.
The twice-yearly Mood of the Nation survey, found 96 percent of New Zealanders agreed or strongly agreed that international tourism is good for the country but the proportion who think the country attracts too many tourists based on actual numbers has risen from 13 percent in December 2015 to 21 percent in March this year.
The proportion of those worried about the pressure of tourism is highest in Otago – which includes Queenstown and the southern lakes where visitor numbers have soared, and 62 percent of those in Otago say their region is ill-equipped to deal with the pressure from tourism.
The main benefits of international tourism are considered to be business opportunities and employment opportunities, while the biggest concern is infrastructure, with 44 percent agreeing that tourism is putting pressure on it.
Those who were particularly negative about tourism were likely to be more concerned about the environmental impact and difficulty New Zealanders have in competing with international visitors for accommodation.
When told of forecast growth in annual visitor numbers, 37 percent felt there was too much growth, while 54 percent said it was just right and 9 percent not enough.
Hospitality New Zealand manager of accommodation, partnerships and communication, Rachael Shadbolt, said Kiwis would have to get used to booking well in advance for a place to stay at peak towns during peak periods.
“Kiwis have been pretty good at rocking up and expecting to get accommodation. They would have to treat it as they did booking flights – planning well ahead.”