Investing In The Tourism Sector’s Recovery
More than
$300 million in funding has been approved to protect
strategic tourism businesses, drive domestic tourism through
regional events and lift digital capability in the tourism
industry, Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis announced
today. A $400 million Tourism Recovery Package was
announced at Budget 2020, and with today’s announcements
is now fully allocated. The $311 million of funding
announced today includes a mixture of grants of up to
$500,000, and loans to support the industry through the
uncertainties brought by COVID-19. “The package will
support tourism operators of all sizes and types including
Māori cultural attractions, adventure activities, scenic
tours, and zoos, aquariums and wildlife encounters across
Aotearoa,” Kelvin Davis said. The package
includes: “Through the Strategic Tourism
Assets Protection Programme, we have approved support for
126 tourism businesses including 18 Māori tourism
businesses that will help secure jobs and boost business at
this incredibly tough time,” Kelvin Davis
said. “On top of this, we’re investing $50 million
in a Regional Events Fund, to help drive domestic tourism
and give Kiwis another reason to get out and explore
Aotearoa. “We’re supporting the tourism industry
to help weather the storm, adapt to build new ways of
working and new products, and build a foundation that will
mean we have a more sustainable tourism industry that
benefits all New Zealanders in the future. “Our
inbound tour operators are a key link between overseas
wholesalers and travel sellers. We are offering the ITO
sector up to $20 million in loans so they can be prepared
for when international travel resumes. “We’re also
providing $10 million that will help tourism businesses
adapt to our current reality by helping them develop digital
strategies, access digital tools and benefit from the
existing Digital Enablement initiatives. “We’ve
had to adapt the type of support we’re providing to make
sure it was targeted, it was sustainable and had the biggest
impact possible for the long-term health of the tourism
sector. “This package aligns with our Government’s
five-point plan for economic recovery, by supporting
businesses, and positioning ourselves globally, and we’re
confident this lays the foundation for tourism to continue
to be a key part of New Zealand’s economy,” Kelvin Davis
said. Notes to Editors Attached – list
of successful recipients for STAPP funding who are happy to
be acknowledged or contacted by media. Businesses $225,199,818 Māori
Businesses Regional Tourism
Organisations $20,997,696 $20,200,000 Inbound
Tourism
Organisations $20,000,000 $10,000,000 $50,000,000 $10,000,000 $25,000,000 $755,000$400
million Tourism Sector Recovery Package announced at Budget
2020:
Initiatives
Funds Committed to
Specific Projects
Total Funds
Committed
Strategic Tourism Assets Protection
Programme
(STAPP)
$286,397,514
Tourism
Transitions Programme
$17,000,000
Digital
Capability
$10,000,000
Regional
Events
Fund
$50,000,000
NZ
Māori
Tourism
$10,000,000
Department
of Conservation Concessions
Waiver
$25,000,000
Tourism
Futures
Taskforce
$755,000
Total
Fund
committed
$399,152,514