Tourism prospects for discussion

Press, 24 June 1985, Page 4

Tourism prospects for discussion

Prospects for tourism in areas like the Rakaia River would be discussed at a meeting of groups associated with tourism, the Minister of Tourism, Mr Moore, said recently.

“The Rakaia area is already an important tourist spot and part of the Government’s strategy to promote fishing opportunities for overseas tourists in New Zealand rivers,” he said.

“I have a budget for

tourism this year which is three times more than last year’s budget. I have told my department not to spend this year’s budget until bodies connected with tourism have met. We need to discuss the best way to use the money including the possible use of combioned budgets.” Specific types of tourists were likely "to still be the targets of most of New Zealand’s tourist promotion, Mr Moore said. . “These tourists include the anglers, older people, and other recreational groups. We also need to discuss a labour market policy for tourism including

training facilities for our own people to provide tourists with a variety of services.

“We want to try to avoid giving too many of the jobs in tourism to foreigners although some international skills are valuable. The last budget included grants in lieu of depreciation on buildings like hotels and entertainment centres.” New Christchurch accommodation ventures and “magnet attraction” facilities, like the proposed agridome and equestrian centre at McLeans Island, were among the enterprises that should apply for this grant, Mr Moore said.