Rotorua tourism operators and officials are hoping a government announcement regarding a regional tourism boost will put them on a level playing field with the rest of the country.
Associate Minister of Tourism Paula Bennett visited Trenz, New Zealand's largest tourism conference, in Rotorua today saying an important announcement regarding regional tourism was expected to be made by Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key in Rotorua tomorrow.
While she would not go into any detail she did say "we have specific sympathy with those [regions] with low ratepayer bases and yet high volumes of people that are either choosing it as a destination or passing through, so it can be pretty tough on those smaller places to accommodate that".
Destination Rotorua Marketing general manager Oscar Nathan, Skyline Rotorua general manager Bruce Thomasen and Rotorua Duck Tours managing director Trevor Weir were unanimous in saying Rotorua could do with better infrastructure to cope with the rising numbers of tourists - both domestic and international.
"Without knowing any details, investment in terms of stimulating infrastructure growth and new development would be key to Rotorua's future, including new hotel stock such as a 4.5 star hotel," Mr Nathan said.