Kiwi tourism minister says no more money for Tourism
New Zealand tourism minister Damien O’Connor has ruled out any potential for increased government spending until at least the country’s next Budget.
With tourism industry leaders saying the country is losing out, being beaten and outspent by other destinations, O’Connor says tourism has to appreciate that it faces intense competition for funds from the roads and infrastructure sectors.
Air New Zealand and the Tourism Industry Association NZ are seeking a higher contribution from the government to help drive visitor numbers to New Zealand, which last year only increased by 1.5% on 2004, well down from previous double-digit growth.
In May, the government increased Tourism New Zealand’s budget for international marketing from $NZ53 million to $NZ69 million a year but the industry is seeking a figure in the region of $NZ100 million.
Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe told media at TRENZ 2006 in Christchurch that ANZ spends $NZ120m a year marketing destination New Zealand, making it the single biggest individual contributor, adding that the country’s growth ambitions were “lacklustre” compared to other countries.
Fyfe said: “I’d love to see others in the industry lining up alongside us to help us make this investment work in New Zealand.”
He added: “I accept Damien’s point of saying there’s all sorts of competing demands on the tax dollar in New Zealand, but I think we turn our back on the opportunity that tourism presents for our nation at our peril.
“It’s frightening to see how much money other nations are spending to grow their tourism and what their growth ambitions are.”
Industry chief Fiona Luhrs has asked the Government to channel some of $NZ500 million in goods and services tax paid by overseas visitors to promote the country, with tourism being the only export sector that paid GST, with visitors paying almost $NZ500 million of that tax. But O’Connor did not support the proposal, saying that other sectors paid GST.
Report by The Mole
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt