24 June 2002

National Will Ease Financial Burden On Tourism Operators

The success of New Zealand tourism operators is being stifled by the increasing burden of compliance costs, National's Tourism spokesperson, Katherine Rich, said today in announcing National's Tourism Policy.

"The majority of New Zealand tourism operators are small and medium-sized businesses who are struggling to grow and be more successful because of the compliance costs imposed by the Government.

"National will provide a more business-friendly environment for tourism operators by reducing compliance costs, taxation rates, employment hassles and other legislative impediments to business growth.

"Access to New Zealand's tourism jewels is a key issue in the growth of the industry.

"National will facilitate investment to improve New Zealand's roading network, and in other infrastructure and facilities through policy changes such as simplifying the Resource Management Act consent process and allowing private investment in infrastructure.

"We will create a Ministerial Tourism Advisory Group forum to bring together views across the tourism sector directly to the Minister and the public agencies affecting tourists and tourism policy.

"National supports Tourism New Zealand as the Government's key contribution to marketing the New Zealand experience. We will expand the e-commerce and internet marketing profile of Tourism New Zealand and 'Purenz'.

"We will encourage greater co-ordination of Regional Tourism Organisations and Visitor Information Centres, and with local government, ensure improvement in infrastructure and facilities," says Mrs Rich.

Ends

© Scoop Media