Extra $20m for tourism

The Government is to pump an extra $20 million into marketing New Zealand as a tourism destination.

Prime Minister John Key, who is also Tourism Minister, yesterday revealed the promised extra funding, which will bring New Zealand's marketing spend to $89 million. The money is to be targeted at the United States, UK/Europe, China and Australia and is hoped to bring in an extra 45,000 visitors and $125 million for the country.

Tourism earned $9.3 billion for New Zealand in the year to March, down $87 million on the previous year - the first drop in 10 years.