Tourism Manifesto

Media release -

Tourism Manifesto

Wednesday 10 September 2008

Lifting our game by bringing new thinking and a sense of urgency to the table to face the present and future tourism challenges & opportunities is vital to the long term health and growth of New Zealand’s biggest export industry, Regional Tourism Organisations New Zealand, (RTONZ), Chairman Paul Davis says.

The release of the Tourism Manifesto by the Tourism Industry Association has got the six key priorities right, and developing a robust partnership between the tourism industry and the government is essential to growing New Zealand’s economy and enhancing “Brand New Zealand”.

It is time that tourism is better recognised as a bedrock of New Zealand’s economy, and from a regional tourism perspective, a far greater investment needs to be made both in money terms and political will to move tourism up the ladder of economic importance.

A Tourism Industry Taskforce and a high ranking Minister in the next Government will be a significant start in that process.

Investment in marketing New Zealand offshore, developing vital infrastructure and improving our environmental performance are no longer things we should do, but are elements that we must do in a tough global market, in order to retain New Zealand’s position as a top destination, said Mr Davis 

Visitors from New Zealand’s major markets are now more discerning, with expectations of a quality, environmentally sound experience being right up there as a prime motivator when choosing a travel destination.

Regional Tourism Organisations New Zealand (RTONZ) applauds the release of the Tourism Manifesto, and is fully supportive of the aims and objectives contained in the document. 

ENDS

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