Calling for more long weekends

Calling for more long weekends
As Cantabrians enjoy their Show Day holiday, this is a great time to think about giving New Zealanders more long weekends, the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) says.

“In these challenging economic times, we all need a break but it’s getting harder to take time off work. So more long weekends that give Kiwis the opportunity for short breaks is the perfect solution,” TIA Chief Executive Tim Cossar says.

TIA’s Tourism Future Statement 2011-14 The Visitor Economy: Creating Wealth www.tianz.org.nz/nztourismfuture calls on the incoming government to ‘Mondayise’ Waitangi Day and Anzac Day when they fall on a weekend.

That would boost domestic tourism, which pours $36 million a day into New Zealand’s economy.

Stimulating domestic tourism is one of the actions TIA, industry partners and operators are promoting to the incoming government in the Tourism Future Statement.

“Rugby World Cup 2011 brought nearly 100,000 visitors to New Zealand who went home raving about our scenery, activities and hospitality. While Kiwis know we live in a fantastic country, the economic climate means that a holiday at home may not be a priority for many,” Mr Cossar says.

Domestic tourism is the mainstay of many tourism businesses and contributes $13.2 billion to the $23 billion industry earnings.

“We’ve seen some announcements recently that will certainly help boost domestic tourism, including Air New Zealand’s new Rotorua-Queenstown and Christchurch-Mt Cook-Queenstown routes,” Mr Cossar says.

“We welcome confirmation that construction is about to begin on a temporary stadium for Christchurch which will give the city a new venue for host sporting and cultural events. This will help attract visitors back to Christchurch, helping support its recovery.”

Events are essential to domestic tourism as they give people a reason to travel outside their home area. The Tourism Future Statement calls for a national events strategy, underpinned by regional initiatives, to get more Kiwis travelling around the country.

“We are already seeing results from the cycle trail network established by this government, which is attracting both international and domestic visitors. The industry is keen to work with the incoming government to find more ways to help Kiwis enjoy fabulous holidays in their own backyard,” Mr Cossar says.

Larnach Castle General Manager Andrew Husheer says the domestic market is crucial to his business, accounting for up to 35% of visitors.

“We are targeting families over the school holiday periods with such things as Family Passes to offer value for them,” he says.

“We are embracing the new Forsyth Barr stadium here in Dunedin as this will assist with more events in Dunedin and more domestic travel. We are behind the recommendations for Mondayising such days as Waitangi Day and Anzac Day which will stimulate New Zealanders to get away for a long weekend and see exactly what we have to offer our overseas visitors first hand.”

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

ENDS

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