- Hon Peeni Henare
The Government is ensuring our regions are prepared to maximise the opportunities and manage any negative impacts as tourists flock back to Aotearoa New Zealand, by setting up a national destination management team, Tourism Minister Peeni Henare said today. Over the next two years, $5 million from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy will fund the new team which will work with regions across the country as they implement their own destination management plans – taking into account each region’s unique attractions, while ensuring they collaborate at a national level. “We want people visiting our regions, having a great experience and spending money, which helps local economies and creates jobs. But we also want to look after our natural environment and minimise the impact visitors have. “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,” Peeni Henare said. Regions are 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 from the international visitor levy will put a team in place that is responsible for progressing destination management activity nationally, working closely with tourism organisations and business, government, and communities across Aotearoa to improve the visitor experience. “The team will bring a national perspective to regional tourism issues, identifying and progressing actions that will bring the greatest collective benefit, and helping to coordinate regional activity on national tourism priorities such as the Industry Transformation Plans. “We will continue to support the sector on the journey towards a more sustainable and resilient tourism industry, while ensuring we can share our world-class regional destinations with the world,” Peeni Henare said. Details of the team’s work programme, and organisation that will host it, are expected to be confirmed in the coming month. |
Notes to Editors
- Destination Management (DM) involves the management of all aspects of a destination that contribute to a visitor’s experience, including the perspectives, needs and expectations of all members of the community.
- Every region is different, with unique attributes, assets, challenges, and opportunities. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to destination management and solutions are usually specific to the destination.
- Destination Management is a key focus of the which supports the following goals:
- Tourism supports thriving and sustainable regions
- Tourism sector productivity improves
- New Zealand-Aotearoa delivers exceptional visitor experiences
- Tourism protects, restores and champions New Zealand-Aotearoa’s natural environment, culture and historic heritage
- New Zealanders’ lives are improved by tourism.
- Information on Destination Management Plans can be found
- Information about the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy and funded projects is
