With allocations of between $400,000 and $1.5 million each, Nash called it a "significant investment".
"It allows the RTOs to enhance destination management plans, build industry skills and capability, develop new products and ideas to attract visitors, promote sustainable tourism, and roll out marketing."
The focus of the package would be "'off the beaten track' impacted by the absence of international visitors like Waitomo."
RTO chief executive for Hamilton & Waikato Jason Dawson said the $1million round of one-off funding would deliver a significant boost to the region.
"We are very fortunate that our local government funding partners continue to see the value in regional tourism as an economic and social enabler for their communities by continuing to invest in our organisation and the sector through initiatives such as infrastructure development," said Dawson.
The minister praised the collaboration of Hamilton & Waikato RTO with sustainability programmes to showcase the region's "regenerative tourism."
"It will build region-wide capability and develop 'good' guides showcasing Waikato visitor experiences that embrace regenerative tourism and add value to communities," he said.
Similarly, either side of the Cook Strait WellingtonNZ and Nelson's Regional Development Agency will be collaborating with tourism business to develop new, more sustainable products and experiences.
Closer collaboration between the Destination Coromandel and iwi along the peninsula's 400km coastline will also help develop high value tourism proposals.
"Their plan involves a celebration of the provenance of their kai moana, sourced by sustainable fishing methods," said Nash.
Destination Coromandel GM Hadley Dryden welcomed the funding and said it would allow them to continue developing products with other RTOs. This includes plans to develop the Whitianga Oceans Festival in cooperation with partners in neighbouring Bay of Plenty and Gisobourne regions.
Although the absence of international travel has been hard felt in many parts of the country, the value of domestic tourism has only grown. According to MBIE spending data, domestic travel in the year to June 2021 was worth at least $11.2 billion.
"Domestic tourism is experiencing a boom as Kiwis take the opportunity to 'do something new' and see more of their own backyard," Stuart Nash said.
With the $26.8 million regional tourism backing divided between 31 RTOs by size, eleven received over $1 million. RTOs in the five largest hubs Wellington, Rotorua, Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown were awarded top tier of $1.5 million each as part of the Package.
"Whether the RTOs are in smaller population centres like Clutha or Hurunui, or large urban areas like Auckland or Rotorua, they are also working to strengthen the foundations of their visitor economies for when international visitors return," said Stuart Nash.
