Tourism New Zealand to set up office in India

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Tourism New Zealand is to get $1.31 million in the budget to set up and run an office in India, Tourism Minister Mark Burton announced today.

"Emerging tourism markets like India hold a lot of promise for New Zealand," Mr Burton said.

The budget will provide funding for the appointment of a permanent, full-time Tourism New Zealand representative in New Delhi.

It will also create a joint venture marketing budget.

Tourism New Zealand will also contribute funds from within its current baselines, and seek support from the private sector.

The office is one of three new tourism budget initiatives.

The Government will also:

* provide $632,000 to further develop the visitor information network;

* put $220,000 for new research into the development of cultural tourism.

Cultural tourism was identified as a key area in the tourism strategy.

There had been a dearth of reliable information on cultural tourism, Mr Burton said.

Knowledge generated would benefit a whole range of tourism decision makers, he said.

- NZPA

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