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Support for tourism announced by the New Zealand Government in last week’s Budget 2023 will help more tourism businesses succeed as employers of choice, according to Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA).

TIA Chief Executive Rebecca Ingram has welcomed the news in Budget 2023 of $18.2 million over four years for implementing the Better Work Action Plan - developed collaboratively by Government, Māori, industry and unions - a holistic package of proposals that will bring about positive changes in the tourism industry.

Welcoming the funding, Ingram stated “delivery of the Better Work plan has the potential to be transformative for our industry and the ambition we have for more tourism businesses to become employers of choice.

“This funding ensures the plan doesn’t sit in a top drawer.”

With Budget 2023 also stating that the Treasury now forecasts New Zealand will avoid recession thanks in part to the contribution of tourism, Ingram emphasised “tourism is an important contributor to New Zealand. Our ambition is to be a regenerative industry. Investment that supports us to progress towards this goal is welcome and appreciated. We look forward to working in partnership with Government to achieve it.”

Ingram says it was well signalled that this would a cost-of-living budget designed to support families throughout this particularly challenging time. The tourism industry has been recognised as doing its part to support the communities it operates in and the economy.

Tourism businesses are directly employing more than 145,000 New Zealanders, with 76% paying staff a living wage or above, according to TIA’s recent workforce survey.

Funding for initiatives such as the Better Work Action Plan will help provide support for businesses, operators and workers across New Zealand.

TIA is also pleased to see the following important investments in Budget 2023:

• Significant investment in infrastructure resilience: the weather events of this summer highlight the real and growing impact of climate related weather events on our communities and businesses. As a touring destination we need a resilient network of roads to support our visitor economy and local communities.
• Major Events funding continues: major events require long term planning and prospecting. Ensuring New Zealand can compete, and secure significant events is good for the vibrancy of our communities, and for the tourism industry that hosts visitors who come for the event.
• EV charging network: As the tourism transport sector (rental cars, campervans) ups its investment in EVs, we welcome the commitment to ensure there are facilities for charging nationwide
• Further funding for New Zealand Māori Tourism - Positioning the Māori Tourism Sector for the Future initiative
• Further funding for The New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute to continue their great work

Ingram concluded “while we can appreciate Budget 2023 has looked widely for savings, we are disappointed to see the Innovation Programme for Tourism Recovery Fund has been reduced by $10 million.

“This programme was launched in November last year and is just getting started. It is designed to enable the industry to transform, innovate and take big strides towards our ambition of regenerative tourism. Reducing the fund size curtails the potential positive impact of tourism from these innovative new projects."

Images: Kayaking in Milford Sound (top, credit: Great South) and TIA Chief Executive Rebecca Ingram (below).

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