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The Restaurant Association welcomes the announcement from the Government outlining a more structured, long-term plan for tourism development, including confirmation of ongoing investment through the International Visitor Levy.
“While recent investments in regional tourism and business events have provided a much-needed boost, it’s encouraging to see a long-term strategic roadmap that both government and industry can work together to deliver,” says Restaurant Association CEO Marisa Bidois.
“We’ve consistently advocated for a more coordinated approach since the IVL review over a year ago, so this announcement represents an important step forward.
“We look forward to working with Tourism New Zealand to ensure our world-class food and beverage offering is a central part of the story we tell to the world,” Marisa says.
The Association also welcomed the Government’s recognition that sustainable tourism growth requires investment beyond infrastructure alone.
“A focus on demand generation is critical, but we’re equally pleased to see support for addressing supply-side challenges. Our people are the cornerstone of the visitor experience, so we’re encouraged to see workforce development included in the roadmap.”
The Association will continue to advocate for transparency around decision making on investments made through the IVL, including ways in which the fund could be used to support business.
“The real impact on our industry will come from the detailed investment decisions made by government – we’re keen to see that work progress against the overarching Tourism Growth Roadmap and look forward to further engagement with the government on this.”
The Restaurant Association stands ready to work alongside government agencies and the broader tourism sector to ensure the plan is implemented in a way that delivers real benefits to both visitors and the local hospitality industry.
