21 May 2002
Budget 2002
The government is continuing to get alongside business and local communities to build a sustainable future for tourism
in New Zealand, Tourism Minister Mark Burton said.
The Minister revealed details of tourism budget initiatives today at the TRENZ tourism trade show being held at the
Auckland Showgrounds.
"In the coming financial year the government will fund a number of initiatives, as part of our ongoing response to the
recommendations of to the New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2010," Mark Burton said.
The Strategy was jointly developed by the government, the tourism sector and other interests. Last year's budget flagged
$14 million of Industry and Regional Development funding over five years for Tourism Strategy initiatives. Some of this
funding has already been allocated, to funding support for Maori tourism, regional tourism organisations and local
government, and for the expansion and enhancement of the Qualmark rating system. Qualmark will receive further funding
in 2002-03.
New initiatives approved for the 2002-03 year:
1. $1.31 million over four years of new funding to assist Tourism New Zealand to establish and operate an office in
India,
2. $632,000 over three years of new funding to further develop the Visitor Information Network, and
3. $220,000 for new research into the development of cultural tourism.
India:
"Emerging tourism markets like India hold a lot of promise for New Zealand," Mark Burton said. "The number of visitors
from India has increased by 50 per cent in the past year.
"The 2002-03 budget provides funding from the Strategy Implementation Fund for the appointment of a permanent, full-time
Tourism New Zealand representative in New Delhi and a marketing budget which will be used for joint venture marketing
activities.
"Tourism New Zealand will also be contributing from within its baselines and will be seeking funding support from
private sector partners."
VIN:
Mark Burton said that the Visitor Information Network (VIN) is a vital partnership between central government, local
government and the private sector. VIN is comprised of 90 visitor information centres located throughout New Zealand.
"The government, through Tourism New Zealand, already provides funding for national coordination of VIN activities. The
additional funding of $632,000 over three years will support a marketing programme, website development, investigating
the feasibility of a common database, and a re-branding initiative.
"The new funding will help VIN meet its aim of being "the most valued source of objective New Zealand information and
travel services for the independently minded traveller".
Cultural tourism:
Cultural tourism was identified in the New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2010 as a key area needing assistance to reach its
potential.
"Research is crucial as there has been a dearth of reliable information on cultural tourism in New Zealand and this has
inhibited decision-making processes in this area," Mark Burton said.
"The research will give us a better understanding of the demand for cultural tourism products by both domestic and
international visitors. Also, when considered with other research being undertaken by the Tourism Research Council New
Zealand, the gaps in supply of cultural tourism products and services will be identified.
"The knowledge generated will benefit a wide range of decision makers in tourism, including in local and central
government, regional tourism organisations, Maori operators, tourism operators and the culture and heritage sectors."
Industry and Regional Development Minister Jim Anderton said the use of regional development funding for tourism shows
there is a whole-of-government approach to economic growth. "Tourism makes a major contribution to the regions and to
our economy and is therefore a priority for regional and economic development support," Jim Anderton said.
Mark Burton said that as they are developed, further initiatives in response to the New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2010
would be announced, utilising the funding made available by the Ministry of Economic Development.
"The government will continue to work with the tourism sector, and other stakeholders, to maximise the economic benefits
tourism can provide for New Zealand, while protecting and preserving the environmental, social and cultural resources
and values upon which it is based," Mark Burton said.
Ends