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NZ government plans to re-introduce Tourism Infrastructure Fund to give impetus to the economy, as updated by Hon Stuart Nash, Tourism Minister.
Source: © Hugoht|Megapixl.com
Relief For Tourism Sector
The current Tourism Infrastructure Fund is expected to be around $13 million, final amount of which is yet to be determined. The fund aims to lift the regions that are greatly impacted by the ghastly COVID-19.
The tourism fund was established by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in 2017 and provides around $25 million a year and was last utilised in November 2019.
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Priority Regions To Get Funds
Nash expressed that around five regions from South Island have been severely affected with the least number of tourists. A priority criterion has been set for fund allocation. As of now, regions of Kaikōura, Mackenzie, Queenstown Lakes, Fiordland, and South Westland districts who applied for financial help will be allocated funds.
Other regions in need of fund may also apply. However, they are supposed to mention their requirements along with infrastructure update for the tourists.
Through this programme, the government aims to improve the local infrastructure, thereby, providing employment opportunities to the residents.
The allocated fund would be utilised towards building and maintaining public properties like footpaths, public toilets, car parks, picnic spots and freedom camping sites. This would in turn help in enhancing the tourist experience when they visit the place in near future.
With the easing out of restrictions and announcement of Trans-Tasman travel bubble, the government is hopeful of international tourists thronging the Kiwiland.
Welcome Move But Paucity Of Funds
The programme was welcomed by Jim Boult, Queenstown Lakes Mayor but he opined that the fund amount is relatively small to be spread across the entire nation.
According to him, there are numerous small and mid-size businesses and enterprises who are on the verge of closure owing to the absence of tourists.
Regions That Accessed The Fund’s Help Earlier
Many regions have availed Tourism Infrastructure Fund in previous years to give boost to their local economies. Some of them are Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Gisborne, Otago, Waikato, Wellington, West Coast, etc.
Infrastructural Support Received Earlier
The above-mentioned regions saw numerous public works in previous four rounds (between 2017-2019) of the Tourism Infrastructure Fund, which included construction of new toilets, water treatment and waste disposal, landscaping, construction of mountain biking hubs and freshwater fountains, etc.
