Govt offers ski deal

Press, 19 April 1986, Page 8

Govt offers ski deal

The Government has offered to go halves with the alpine industry on a $60,000 development plan to boost tourism. The Minister of Tourism, Mr Moore, told representatives of the ski industry yesterday that it was time they looked to the long-term development of their industry and united for promotion. He has offered $30,000 for a development plan if the industry matched the sum.

“There is a very strong need for co-operation and for people to think beyond their own profitability in the industry,” Mr Moore said.

He was optimistic that the industry would respond to his offer, and said he would like to have the first report within three months. The chairman of the Ski Areas Association, Mr Ralph Smith, said the industry welcomed Mr Moore’s interest and the idea of a partnership.

Mr Moore said that the biggest difficulty to overcome was marketing, both in Australia and the growing markets of Japan and North America. Ski industry representatives had told him that existing facilities could cater for a large expansion in overseas skiers. New Zealand could not hope to hold a Winter Olympics for 25 years, but should look to hosting international events within a decade, he said.

The Government could assist with the planning stage for new alpine industry facilities, Mr Moore said. It should be possible to reduce to six months the time taken to get planning approval, and still ensure that environmental protection received full consideration.