Miccio Supports Tourism Sector Re-think

Mayoral candidate Aldo Miccio says he believes the region’s tourism sector is on the cusp of a re-birth, and he supports the industry’s call for a re-think.

Miccio met last week with a group of tourism industry players, who are keen to establish an industry forum that feeds into the Regional Tourism Organisation’s (RTO) strategy-setting and promotes increased dialogue.

“Tourism is one of our key sectors, and it is clear that many players within the sector are keen to mobilise as a group and work with the RTO more closely,” Miccio says. “As a new Chief Executive of Nelson Tasman Tourism (NTT) is yet to be appointed, and while the council is reviewing its council organisations, we have a great opportunity to formulate the best structure for our tourism industry.

“We haven’t had an opportunity for local tourism to collectively re-strategise for over a decade, and I am positive that the mood in the industry is focused positivity on the goal of increasing the number of visiting tourists all year around,” he says. “If elected mayor, I would support the establishment of a tourism operator ‘collective’ and a review of the current RTO structure, to ensure it is meeting the needs of the industry and has clear and measureable KPI’s.

“Those who have shown interest in this new ‘collective’ are keen for closer communications with NTT’s new CEO and its board, as well as with the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee,” he says. “This is about relationships and communication.

“If elected mayor I also plan to put a Nelson Conference Centre high on the list of priorities, under the banner of Go Nelson, to ensure analysis for what we need is robust and that any new facility is a fully utilised venue,” he says. “A couple of months ago I met with some of the conference organisers in Nelson and their feedback, together with that of the operators I met with recently, clearly highlights that we have not yet nailed the right answer for our Conference Centre needs. We can get it right and get it done properly under a professional management structure.

“Meanwhile, last week I also outlined my transport strategy which includes a vision for a safer and better utilised iconic Rocks Road, a safer entrance to the city from the South down Waimea Road, the phased implementation of an affordable public transport system, and a suggestion that we aim to make Nelson the Cycling Capital of New Zealand,” he says. “Our waterfront is a wasted tourism opportunity and our public transport system is a mess, so getting our transport infrastructure mix right is important to everyone who lives here and crucial to our key industries, including tourism.

“We need growth, and we need it all year around,” Miccio says. “A stable and growing tourism sector is crucial for our overall economic stability, and should be a priority.

ENDS

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