Boosting tourism funding: $5 million investment to elevate regional plans to national level

Tairāwhiti tourism operators like Dive Tatapouri are set to benefit from $5m of funding for a national destination management team which will work with regions across the country as they implement their own destination management plans. File picture

A multimillion-dollar boost to tourism funding is intended to take regional tourism plans to a national level.

Tourism Minister Peeni Henare said over the next two years, $5 million from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy would fund the formation of a national destination management team, which would work with regions across the country as they implement their own destination management plans .

These will take into account each region’s unique attractions while ensuring collaboration at a national level.

“Through destination planning, regions aim to develop a well-managed, sustainable visitor destination that can adapt and change, depending on the region’s needs or opportunities from a social, economic, cultural and environmental point of view.”

Regions were already in the process of developing the plans across Aotearoa, thanks to $11.5 million in funding from the Government’s Covid-19 $47 million relief package for Regional Tourism Organisations.

The additional funding will put a team in place who are responsible for progressing destination management activity nationally, working closely with tourism organisations and business, the Government, and communities across the country to improve visitor experience.

Trust Tairāwhiti regional tourism manager Holly Hatzilamprou welcomed the move but pointed out there would not be any direct funding for regional tourism organisations like Trust Tairāwhiti.

“The Minister’s plan looks to put a team in place that is responsible for progressing Destination Management activity nationally.

“Regional Tourism NZ has been advocating for continued investment in destination management and it is great to see the Minister’s announcement that recognises the need to pursue this ongoing work.

“RTNZ will meet with officials in the next few days to discuss how the new team will be established and how the actions recognised in regional Destination Management Plans can be linked to national tourism priorities such as the Industry Transformation Plans.”

In February, last year, Trust Tairāwhiti began consultation on a Destination Management Plan (DMP) for Tairāwhiti which would provide a 10-year “road map” to tourism success.

“Post-Cyclone Gabrielle, we have reviewed the key recommendations in the DMP and made some updates,” Ms Hatzilamprou said.

“This will be available online later this month. A reference group is being established to provide governance over the plan and effective leadership for the sector locally.”