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Hotel Council Aotearoa warmly welcomes the announcement by Minister Louise Upston of a $70 million investment package to help revitalise New Zealand’s major events and tourism sectors.
“This is exactly the kind of strategic support HCA has long championed,” says HCA strategic director James Doolan.
“Events are powerful economic drivers that stimulate visitation, fill hotel rooms and energise local communities. Involvement in event attraction and destination marketing is an entirely legitimate and justified use of public funds.
“The Events Attraction Package, Events Boost Fund and Regional Tourism Boost Campaign will help New Zealand compete globally and deliver tangible benefits to Kiwi businesses and workers. These initiatives are necessary as New Zealand works to rebuild tourism demand and restore confidence across the visitor economy.
“The uncomfortable truth is that other countries have recovered faster than New Zealand after COVID.
“While the sector has been calling for this kind of support for some time, it’s encouraging to see the Government now stepping forward with meaningful additional investment. It’s a strong signal that events are being recognised for their true value, not just to tourism businesses but to public finances as well.
“Tourism is the only export sector where central government collects GST – more than $1.7 billion last year alone. Smart investment in event attraction and destination marketing delivers positive returns for taxpayer and ratepayers.
“HCA thanks Minister Louise Upston for her leadership and also calls on Mayor Wayne Brown and Auckland Council to match this momentum in a meaningful way.
“Auckland, as New Zealand’s primary international gateway, must normalise council investment in event attraction rather than blindly insisting that businesses carry the full burden. The city’s major events pipeline has been allowed to wither and it’s time to reverse that trend. HCA stands ready to work with the Mayor and councillors to restore Auckland’s event funding to pre-COVID levels and beyond.
“This is potentially a turning point for New Zealand’s under-pressure tourism industry.
“With central and local government now fully engaged and industry energised, stakeholders can work in good faith to foster a thriving, resilient visitor economy that delivers for all New Zealanders.
“Let’s seize the moment.”
