Latest news with #LouiseUpston
Scoop
2 hours ago
- Business
- Scoop
International Visitor Spending On The Up
Hon Louise Upston Minister for Tourism and Hospitality New data showing international visitor spending increased by almost ten per cent on the previous year is welcome news, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says. 'Tourism is our second highest export earner and today's results show just how important the sector is to unleashing economic growth in New Zealand,' Louise Upston says. International Visitor Survey results show for the year ending March 2025, international tourism contributed $12.2 billion to New Zealand's economy, up 9.2 per cent compared to the previous year. This reflects an increase of 4.3 per cent in international visitor arrivals, with 3.32 million visitors coming to New Zealand, up from 3.18 million in 2024. 'In real terms, that means more bookings in our restaurants, more reservations at local accommodation and visitor experience providers, more people visiting our regions and attractions, more jobs being created across the country, and an overall stronger economy.' When adjusted for inflation, this equates international spending to $9.7 billion or 86 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. 'The growth in visitor numbers and spending is very encouraging but there is still more work to do to ensure tourism and hospitality can really thrive,' Louise Upston says. 'Amongst other initiatives, the Government announced a $20.4 million Tourism Boost package this year to help drive visitor numbers. 'New Zealand is open for business, and we look forward to welcoming more visitors to our beautiful country.'
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Funding boost from govt for 19 southern events
The South has been awarded just under $400,000 to help fund 19 different events, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston announced last week. The government is driving economic growth in the regions by investing $2.6 million in 152 regional events across New Zealand. Mrs Upston said she was thrilled with the variety of exciting events on offer, encouraging more New Zealanders to enjoy and explore New Zealand beyond the main centres. Events to get money in the South include Warbirds Over Wanaka, which received $50,000, the Steampunk NZ Festival which got $10,000 while $39,750 had been given to the Challenge Wānaka Festival of Triathlon 2026. Challenge Wānaka was under pressure to hold its event this year because of a lack of entries but managed to go ahead. It received a boost earlier this month when the event in February would also double as the New Zealand middle distance triathlon championship, making it an official qualifying event for the 2026 World triathlon multisport championships. Mrs Upston said investing in these events had a direct impact, with visitors spending money in local cafes, businesses and accommodation providers, driving economic activity in communities. "By growing regional tourism, our remote and rural communities can benefit from the economic opportunities it brings,'' she said. Events were excellent drawcards to get more visitors into the regions, particularly in quieter parts of the year. "New Zealand is open for business, and we encourage both Kiwis and international visitors alike to explore and enjoy what New Zealand has to offer." Funding comes from the $5m Regional Events Promotion Fund, which has so far invested in 284 regional events. Funding recipients Clutha $10,000 to The Magnificent Adventure Race Enterprise Dunedin $8643 to 2025 Port Chalmers Seafood Festival $40,000 to 2026 New Zealand Masters Games $10,000 to Emersons Dunedin Marathon $30,000 to The Dunedin Craft Beer and Food Festival $25,000 to Wild Dunedin — NZ Festival of Nature Great South $16,000 to Burt Munro Challenge 2026 $20,000 to NZ Premier Motorsport Summer Series, Next Gen Round 4 $5000 to Rakiura Rhyme Machine Festival 2025 $22,000 to The Shepherdess Muster 2026 $30,000 to Tussock Country – NZ Country Music Festival 2026 Lake Wanaka Tourism $15,000 to Aspiring Conversations 2026 $39,750 to Challenge Wanaka Festival of Triathlon 2026 $15,000 to Merino Muster Ski Marathon $10,000 to NZ Mountain Film and Book festival $50,000 to Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow Tourism Central Otago $8643 to Alexandra Blossom Festival $14,000 to The 70th New Zealand GrandPrix — round 5 Tourism Waitaki $10,000 to Steampunk NZ Festival — APL
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Regional Events Fund Delivers Boost To Whanganui, Rangitīkei And Ruapehu
Article – Moana Ellis – Local Democracy Reporter Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said she was particularly pleased to support events in regions which traditionally did not see as many domestic tourists. Adventure races, festivals, cultural and sports events across the Whanganui, Rangitīkei and Ruapehu districts will benefit from new Government investment. Funding from the contestable $5 million Regional Events Promotion Fund will support a range of local events aimed at attracting domestic visitors and driving economic activity in rural and regional areas. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said she was particularly pleased to support events in regions which traditionally did not see as many domestic tourists. 'Investing in these events has a direct impact, with visitors spending money in local cafes, businesses and accommodation providers,' Upston said. One of the new events coming to the regions is the Whakapapa Festival, a non-skiing event in the Ruapehu district in June 2026. Visit Ruapehu, Ruapehu district's regional tourism organisation, has won $81,850 to support five adventure and cultural events: $20,250 for Mardi Gras Ohakune, $13,000 for the Ring of Fire 2026 alpine races, $11,300 for The Goat Adventure Run, $12,300 for the Tussock Traverse 2026 and $25,000 for the Whakapapa Festival in 2026. Whanganui District Council will receive $115,500 for five key events: $17,500 for the Artist Open Studios art trail, $30,000 for the Cooks Classic athletics event, $15,000 for the HoopNation Junior Showcase basketball tournament, $40,000 for the Suzuki Series motorcycle event, and $13,000 for Whanganui Vintage Weekend. Rangitīkei District Council will receive $10,000 for two events: $5,000 for the Marton Country Music Festival and $5,000 for the Rangitīkei Adventure Race. These investments are part of a broader $2.6 million allocation from the fund's second round, supporting 152 events nationwide. The fund, established from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, aims to grow regional tourism and support local economies. 'By growing regional tourism, our remote and rural communities can benefit from the economic opportunities it brings,' Upston said. 'Events are excellent drawcards to get more visitors into our regions, particularly in quieter parts of the year for the tourism and hospitality sector.'
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Regional Events Fund Delivers Boost To Whanganui, Rangitīkei And Ruapehu
Adventure races, festivals, cultural and sports events across the Whanganui, Rangitīkei and Ruapehu districts will benefit from new Government investment. Funding from the contestable $5 million Regional Events Promotion Fund will support a range of local events aimed at attracting domestic visitors and driving economic activity in rural and regional areas. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said she was particularly pleased to support events in regions which traditionally did not see as many domestic tourists. 'Investing in these events has a direct impact, with visitors spending money in local cafes, businesses and accommodation providers,' Upston said. One of the new events coming to the regions is the Whakapapa Festival, a non-skiing event in the Ruapehu district in June 2026. Visit Ruapehu, Ruapehu district's regional tourism organisation, has won $81,850 to support five adventure and cultural events: $20,250 for Mardi Gras Ohakune, $13,000 for the Ring of Fire 2026 alpine races, $11,300 for The Goat Adventure Run, $12,300 for the Tussock Traverse 2026 and $25,000 for the Whakapapa Festival in 2026. Whanganui District Council will receive $115,500 for five key events: $17,500 for the Artist Open Studios art trail, $30,000 for the Cooks Classic athletics event, $15,000 for the HoopNation Junior Showcase basketball tournament, $40,000 for the Suzuki Series motorcycle event, and $13,000 for Whanganui Vintage Weekend. Rangitīkei District Council will receive $10,000 for two events: $5,000 for the Marton Country Music Festival and $5,000 for the Rangitīkei Adventure Race. These investments are part of a broader $2.6 million allocation from the fund's second round, supporting 152 events nationwide. The fund, established from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, aims to grow regional tourism and support local economies. 'By growing regional tourism, our remote and rural communities can benefit from the economic opportunities it brings,' Upston said. 'Events are excellent drawcards to get more visitors into our regions, particularly in quieter parts of the year for the tourism and hospitality sector.'
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Taranaki Events Receive Boost From Government Regional Events Promotion Fund
Te Puna Umanga Venture Taranaki is thrilled to share that six of the region's major events have received a combined $179,250 in funding through the Government's Regional Events Promotion Fund, announced today by Tourism and Hospitality Hon Minister Louise Upston. This significant investment will support the promotion of the following events: WOMAD Aotearoa - $68,000 Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival - $40,000 Feastival - $22,750 NZ Tattoo and Arts Festival - $21,000 Coastal Five - $20,000 Taste and Tales - $7,500 Taranaki received the third-highest allocation nationally, behind Rotorua New Zealand ($181,750) and Waipa District Council ($180,000), demonstrating the strong appeal and visitor potential of events hosted in our region. "As the Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) for Taranaki, we're proud to support this process, working alongside local event organisers to submit a compelling regional application," says Brylee Flutey, GM Destination at Venture Taranaki. "The fund is targeted specifically for marketing and promotion, and all six events will now be able to utilise this co-funding to support and extend on their existing promotional plans, aiming to expand their reach and drive additional out-of-region visitation and ticket sales that in-turn, support the wider economy." Each event is required to use the funding between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, excluding the summer blackout period (25 December - 7 January), and main centres were ineligible from applying to the fund. Suzanne Porter, CEO of TAFT, who presents both WOMAD Aotearoa and the Centuria Taranaki Garden Festival, says this funding enables them to extend the reach and impact of two of the region's most iconic and longstanding events during what has been challenging times. "In a tough economic climate, this kind of support makes a real impact. It helps us continue to deliver festivals that connect communities, attract visitors, and generate cultural and economic benefits for the region," says Porter. Suzanne McCarthy, Event Director for Coastal Five, also welcomed the announcement, "This funding is a game-changer for the Coastal Five. It allows us to significantly increase our national reach, improve the experience for participants, and showcase the very best of Taranaki to runners and their supporters from across the country. We're so proud to deliver an event that not only promotes active lifestyles, but also contributes meaningfully to the local economy and community spirit." "We acknowledge and appreciate the ongoing support from Central Government for regional events, which enables regions like Taranaki to accelerate event growth and visitor attraction, as well as the dedication, resilience, and passion of our event producers who give so much to our event ecosystem and region. We look forward to seeing the impact of this investment in time," concludes Flutey.
