Lovely loos lure visitors

Lovely loos lure visitors

Public toilets are arguably the most important piece of infrastructure that communities can use to boost their visitor economy – and they’re useful to local people too!

“Most travellers will need to use a public toilet at some point, and the quality and availability of facilities can really affect their perception of an area,” Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) Chief Executive Tim Cossar says.

“Kawakawa’s Hundertwasser toilets attract thousands of people to the town each year – people who spend their money at local businesses and support jobs in the area. Taupo’s Super Loo is another great example, as are Wellington’s lobster loos. But more basic toilets also give visitors a reason to stop, as well as improving the quality of life for residents.”

Infrastructure like high quality roads, good signage and recycling facilities also enhance both the visitor experience and New Zealanders’ quality of life.

That is why TIA is calling for government assistance for communities with low rating bases to fund local infrastructure development. It’s one of the actions TIA, industry partners and operators are promoting to the incoming government in the Tourism Future Statement 2011-14:The Visitor Economy – Creating Wealth www.tianz.org.nz/nztourismfuture.

“We recognise some communities which attract high visitor numbers need support to provide good quality infrastructure that enhances their experience. We would like to see the incoming government bring back the Tourism Demand Subsidy Scheme or a similar initiative to support them, not only with providing toilets but also other infrastructure like water supply, good signage and recycling facilities,” Mr Cossar says.

“Government investment in infrastructure will help boost the contribution tourism makes to New Zealand’s economy.”

Positively Wellington Tourism Chief Executive David Perks agrees good infrastructure is important for both visitors and communities.

“The things that make New Zealand a good place to live are those good things tourists enjoy too. For instance, if you enjoy going skiing in Queenstown, there aren’t enough of us to afford those facilities by ourselves. It’s the visitors who help put that infrastructure into place.”

Christchurch earthquake recovery
Nowhere is good quality infrastructure more important than in the rebuilding of Christchurch. The Tourism Future Statement calls for quick decisions to be made on the future of the city’s visitor infrastructure.

Christchurch is a vital tourism gateway and destination. In 2010 the visitor industry generated an estimated $2.3 billion in expenditure to the Canterbury region and supported an estimated 22,800 jobs.

“The nature and timing of rebuild decisions will determine how quickly the region can recover. In particular we would like to see government support for the urgent rebuild of the Christchurch Convention Centre as a catalyst to economic recovery for the city,” Mr Cossar says.

Christchurch International Airport CEO Jim Boult says the city’s tourism-related priorities are clear.

“The top priority is establishing new hotels and convention facilities,” Mr Boult says. “Hotels will come when a convention facility is built, but the combination of the two is vital. However, the city’s rebuild is also a chance to ensure tourism infrastructure is in the right place and of the right quality.

“Air New Zealand’s recent decision to reinstate regular direct Tokyo-Christchurch flights is a sign confidence is returning in Canterbury as a destination and we are working with many different organisations to make the most of every opportunity to attract tourists here.”

Cruise and convention facilities
TIA is delighted at Waterfront Auckland’s announcement this week that it is working to improve cruise facilities on Queen’s Wharf.

Cruising is one of the fastest growing sectors of the visitor industry, seasonally worth more than $3 million a day in foreign exchange earnings. The upgrade and development of port facilities around the country to cater for the burgeoning cruise ship sector is a priority in the Tourism Future Statement 2011-14, as is the building of a national convention centre.

“We will encourage the incoming government to proceed with proposals to develop a national convention centre in Auckland. It’s been estimated this will boost New Zealand’s economy by $90 million a year, and enable the visitor industry to target a whole new market that can’t be accommodated by existing conference facilities,” Mr Cossar says.

“SKYCITY is leading the way in working with government to develop a national convention centre and we will support this work continuing in the next Parliamentary term.”

TIA will be encouraging a regional network of convention centres to further boost this lucrative market.

Go to www.tianz.org.nz/nztourismfuture to download a copy of the Tourism Future Statement 2011-2014 The Visitor Economy: Creating Wealth.

The tourism industry’s five priorities for the incoming government for the next three years are:

• Delivering Value
Keeping the industry at the centre of political and public attention will be important in building on the gains achieved in the past three years and delivering value to the New Zealand economy.

• Improving Infrastructure
While New Zealand’s natural environment provides the setting for a range of visitor experiences, quality infrastructure is needed to support the range of activities that visitors enjoy.

• Making Travel Easier
Making travel easier is integral to a great holiday. Creating seamless border experiences and removing barriers for people travelling to New Zealand will be critical to growing international visitor arrivals.

• Providing Relevant Information
Dynamic changes within the industry and economy mean the delivery of relevant and timely information is critical for business planning.

• Stimulating Domestic Tourism
It is time to make a holiday at home aspirational and help New Zealanders see their country through an international lens.

ENDS

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