Staff campaign against sell-off

Press, 8 December 1988, Page 21

Staff campaign against sell-off

By

LES BLOXHAM,

travel editor

Staff at the Government Travel Office in Christchurch are concerned that the proposed sale of regional travel offices will lessen tourism’s contribution to Canterbury’s , economy. Since the Government announced in the Budget that it intended selling the offices — part of the business units of the Tourist and Publicity Department — staff have mounted a vigorous campaign against the proposal. Ms Jo Downey, the Christchurch staff’s Public Service Association delegate, said that the sale could seriously affect the development and promotion of domestic tourism.

“We feel strongly that the Government is shedding its responsibility to tourism and our overseas visitors,” she said. “Without N.Z.T.P.

Travel, visitors to New Zealand will experience difficulty in planning their New Zealand holiday at one source.”

While regional promotion organisations provided valuable information on their own area, they were limited in the assistance they could give in planning a total New Zealand holiday, she said. “Few travel agents have the in-depth knowledge or interest in domestic tourism, and most would rather sell an overseas tour,” said Ms Downey. This led to valuable funds being sent out of New Zealand instead of benefiting its economy. She said N.Z.T.P. offered unbiased expertise in the tourist scene.

“Without our support a number of small operators may find their businesses in jeopardy as they do not have the resources to market themselves nationally,” she said.