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RNZ News
21 minutes ago
- RNZ News
International tourist numbers: Call for government funds for new airline routes, major events
Photo: RNZ A tourism leader is warning the sector is hurting because of the hike in the international visitor levy and a lack of investment in big events. Tourism Holdings chief executive Grant Webster says growth is sluggish, and trailing far behind Australia. In recent weeks Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and Sudima Hotels chief operating officer Les Morgan have all called for some action to give Auckland, and the wider economy, a much-needed shot in the arm. Since October last year, foreign tourists having been paying a levy of $100 when they arrive - almost triple what they had been paying previously. Tourism organisations opposed the increase at the time , saying it would deter tens of thousands of visitors. Webster said the sector needed help, and the government needed to boost efforts to bring big events to Aotearoa. Grant Webster Photo: Linkedin He told Morning Report Increased air capacity, cruises and major events were all areas needing further investment. He cited Australia where state tourism organisations and the national body Tourism Australia were backed by the government. This meant they could target attracting new airlines or routes by paying for marketing and other incentives. "That has been proven time and time again as a key lever for growing overall toursim numbers." He said the government had changed its tourism approach - which was the most positive in around eight years - but there was still a lot of work to do. "Events are a key strategy that we need to really see the government get in behind - they're starting to, there's more money coming into the sector but there's more to do yet." He said there would need to be some kind of financial support to attract major events like the FIFA World Cup and the World Choir Games. "The reality is that's what happens around the world. We often think in New Zealand people just want to come here, but it's a competitive market." The increased levy which was typical of costs imposed at the border had affected demand and put the sector "behind the eight-ball". However, he did not favour axeing it, instead it should be spent in the most effective way possible. It should soon approach $200 million so "let's get that reinvested". The point of having some kind of levy, such as a bed tax, imposed on a national basis was supported by the travel industry. "We've got to reinvest to get this whole system working in the right way... let's get on with it and do it." Tourism Minister Louise Upston has been approached for comment.
RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Calls for govt to help bring big events to NZ
A tourism leader is warning New Zealand's being left behind by Australia and is calling on the government to ramp up efforts to bring big events here. Tourism Holdings CEO Grant Webster spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
Retailers upbeat following OCR cut, but experts say next six months will be crucial
Talk of lower interest rates has retailers feeling more positive about the economy. Photo: Yiting Lin / RNZ Shopkeepers might have high hopes for an economic turnaround and better sales, but the data indicates otherwise. Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young said Wednesday's cut to the official cash rate was unlikely to see shoppers flooding retail stores just yet. The Reserve Bank cut its cash rate by 25 basis points to a three-year low of 3 percent, and left the door open for further reductions . Young said the group's latest quarterly report from April to June, showed 62 percent of retailers did not meet their sales targets. But she said talk of lower interest rates had them feeling more positive about the economy. "Businesses are optimistic that we are through the worst of it, but their trading levels aren't showing that they are. Optimism is based on emotion and trading sales figures are based on fact." She said the next six months would be crucial for businesses facing closure and hoped to see the Reserve Bank deliver on more aggressive cuts. Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young. Photo: Supplied Previous OCR drops have not delivered the hoped-for economic boost, she said. "We're not seeing growth, we're not seeing many green shoots, we're seeing businesses that are still being challenged. Businesses closing, laying off staff, doing restructures. We know a lot of retailers are still trading at a loss. "It's a really difficult economic environment. Consumer confidence needs to be higher in order for retail to survive." Young said there was always a lag between rate changes and spending habits, and right now, people were focused on paying for the essentials. Meanwhile, Kelvin Davidson, chief property economist at Cotality was not expecting any big changes in the housing market following the lowered OCR . He said despite significant falls in the rate over the past year, the housing market had remained flat. "The influence of low mortgage rates is already out there, yet the housing market isn't really responding. "I think what were seeing on the other side of the ledger is restraint from the weak economy and weak labour market, people have lost jobs and even if you've kept the job there's that spillover impact on confidence." Davidson said until there was a shift in the economy and employment rates, the housing market was unlikely to change, and he expected it would remain subdued for the next 6-9 months. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
