Latest news with #Tourismand
Scoop
07-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
‘Removed That Barrier': Change For Overseas Visitors Announced
The Government is removing a barrier to make it easier for overseas visitors to enter the country. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston spoke at major tourism trade show Trenz in Rotorua this morning. Upston said the Government would remove the requirement for overseas visitors' applications to have translated supporting documents certified. These visitors will instead need to advise who translated the document and what their experience or qualifications are, which Upston said brought translation requirements in line with Australia. She said certification had been an extra cost for those applying to visit New Zealand in documents not written in English, and was particularly relevant for the Chinese market. 'We have removed that barrier.' Andrew Wilson, chief executive of tourism promotion agency RotoruaNZ, said it was 'another really positive' move. 'We're pretty happy to see anything that removes a bit of friction, particularly for … Chinese and Indian visitors.' He said it was an important market for Rotorua and was looking forward to seeing the impact of the change. An Immigration New Zealand statement said it would come into effect on May 26. Applicants must still provide translations for all supporting documents and the translation cannot be done by the applicant, a family member or their immigration adviser on the application. The requirement to provide a certified English translation for supporting visa documents was introduced last June to speed up processing. Luxon told industry leaders in Rotorua that he and the Government were committed to growing tourism, the country's second-largest export. He said the country was at a 'pivotal moment' and bold, decisive action was needed to 'reignite our tourism industry and propel it back to the heights of 2019 and beyond'. Luxon noted investment into tourism including $13 million given to Tourism New Zealand for marketing, and a to-be-launched tourism growth roadmap. He said it was committed to enhancing airline connectivity, 'recognising that it's the lifeline to strengthening our global ties' to boost tourism and trade. Work to boost this included with emerging markets like India, he said. There was capacity for growth, however, with visitors below pre-Covid numbers, and Luxon said there was capability for more premium experiences. Recent growth had been 'good' he said, but 'we're still the middle of the pack in terms of productivity per capita'. The Government was 'obsessed with economic growth' because it meant higher incomes, more money in pockets, more jobs and more public service funding. Luxon acknowledged Rotorua's roots in tourism, being the birthplace of the industry in New Zealand. 'Māori women from Rotorua's local iwi Te Arawa demonstrated fantastic entrepreneurial spirit and we still see it in the sector today.' The award-winning Rotorua Canopy Tours was recognised for its ecotourism, combining 'exhilarating experience' with local conservation. Luxon said he was looking forward to meeting some of the international buyers attending Trenz. Around 1200 delegates are attending the two-and-a-half-day programme which started yesterday at the Energy Events Centre with over 340 travel buyers from 26 countries registered. Upston also shared her ambition in Rotorua to make tourism the number one export as the Government aimed to double overall exports by 2034. Bringing tourism numbers back to 2019 levels was key for that, she said, but this needed to happen alongside preserving the 'unique way' visitors were welcomed and cared for. A second priority was to grow the 200,000 sector jobs. 'I'm really excited for the potential for how we grow that.' Upston said tourism wouldn't be what it is without local government and thanked the region's mayors for attending. Other speakers included Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Rebecca Ingram and Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran. Ingram said the industry generated $44 billion in the year to March. She said 1 in 10 jobs relate to tourism and the industry was mostly made up of small businesses with fewer than 20 employees. In terms of market diversity she said the United States were the 'star performer', China was growing and Australia remained the bedrock. Business growth appeared to be the focus for many in the industry, she said. For New Zealand to compete globally, it needed to invest and evolve. This year's Trenz event had 40 new products and 20 new sellers. Travellers were also changing and travel was recently found to be among the top 25 uses of AI, Ingram said.
ABC News
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Queensland banks on nostalgia with new Holiday tourism campaign that revives an 80s hit
Queensland tourism officials are harking back to the 1980s with a campaign based on a cover of Madonna's hit Holiday to remind potential visitors what it's like to visit Queensland. That Holiday Feeling features a video showing singer-songwriter Kita Alexander apparently escaping heavy traffic in a rainy city to blue skies in scenic areas of the state. A clip posted to social media shows destinations from Coolangatta on the Gold Coast to Mossman Gorge in Far North Queensland, with the state's west represented by Charlotte Plains in Cunnamulla. A twisted metal sculpture of a Sauropod and her babies on the Natural Sciences Loop in the Quilpie Shire. ( Supplied: Tourism and Events Queensland ) Queensland is trying to revive a lull in tourist numbers in 2024, when the cost-of-living crisis ate into holiday funds and better dollar exchange rates saw more people travel to Asia. "It's more than a tagline, it's a great opportunity for Queensland," Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said as he launched the That Holiday Feeling campaign on Sunday. Queensland Tourism's last campaign centred on Bluey, the hugely popular animated series about a family of blue heelers from Brisbane. This year's campaign seems more grown-up. Instead of bouncing a red balloon from scene to scene, holidaymakers are seen paddleboarding, hiking, swimming and snorkelling. Queensland is trying to attract more tourists to coastal destinations like Lady Elliot Island off Queensland. ( Supplied: Tourism and Events Queensland ) Mr Powell couldn't put a figure on the cost of this year's campaign. But he said, if successful, it could roll out right up to 2032. "The exciting thing about this brand is that it's not just one campaign. This is multiple campaigns this could go four or five years," he said. " It could go all the way up to the Olympics. " Campaign built on nostalgia Nostalgia is driving the That Holiday Feeling campaign, with hopes holidaymakers will remember past trips to Queensland and decide to come again. The original Holiday single was released by Madonna in 1983 and reached the Top 10 in several countries. "We're unashamedly targeting other jurisdictions, so New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia," Mr Powell said. "Most of those would have had a family or themselves holiday in Queensland and they would remember that feeling that they had, holidaying here. We want to remind them of that." The broad campaign is also targeting Queenslanders, as well as international travellers. Several locations including Mossman Gorge in Far North Queensland feature in the new tourism campaign. ( Supplied: Tourism and Events Queensland ) Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Craig Davidson said the state was unmatched by any other destination at home, or abroad. "The platform That Holiday Feeling is really hard for anyone else, any other state, any other country in the world to argue with us on," Mr Davidson said. " We are the place to come to for a holiday in Australia, and we are the place to come to for a holiday globally. " Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell says the state's trying to attract domestic and foreign tourists. ( ABC News: Lucas Hill ) Signs of an uptick over Easter Encouraging signs of a recovery in tourist numbers emerged on the Gold Coast over Easter, where occupancy rates hit 90 per cent, up 10 per cent on last year, Mr Powell said. Officials had feared that tourists would avoid the coast in the aftermath of Cyclone Alfred, which caused severe erosion on several beaches. "We worked with all of our airlines, we offered deals on and as a result we turned around what were some concerning stories and (we've) seen one of the most wonderful Easter school holiday periods yet," Mr Powell said. Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said he was looking forward to seeing further momentum in numbers. "The Gold Coast has always been the jewel in the crown of Queensland tourism, so we look forward to the new campaign building on the momentum we have been building, with record visitor spend over the last year," Mr Tate said. Kita Alexander sings a version of Madonna's hit "Holiday" in Queensland's latest tourism campaign. ( ABC News: Lucas Hill ) Originally from Queensland, the campaign's "face" now lives in Byron Bay but returns to Hamilton Island for holidays. "I just love the beaches and the heat," said Ms Alexander, whose debut album was released last year. She said the highlight of making the campaign was lying on her back in the ocean for an hour near Heart Reef in the Whitsundays while a drone filmed overhead. "I was on my back telling the ocean I was its friend, because I was out there by myself," she said. " But I was fine and had the best time ever, and it was so magical. "
Zawya
12-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Global Firms Target Malawi's $30Bn Mineral Boom
Malawi could generate up to $30 billion ( from mineral exports between 2026 and 2040, with annual revenues expected to hit $3 billion by 2034, according to the World Bank. The financial institution projects the sector to account for 12% of the country's GDP by 2027, driven by new projects and the expansion of existing production initiatives. As prospects within Malawi's mining industry continue to grow, the upcoming African Mining Week in Cape Town will serve as a key platform to connect Malawian stakeholders, regulators and global investors, driving investment inflows and fostering strategic collaborations to accelerate sectoral development. Malawi has recorded several industry growth milestones in 2025, with global partners expediting exploration and production projects in line with the country's Agriculture, Tourism and Mining Strategy, designed to attract new investments for economic growth. Last month, Australian company Lotus Resources secured $38.5 million ( in funding from South African banks First Capital Bank and Standard Bank for its Kayelekera Uranium Project. This financing injection not only supports operational readiness, but also enhances Malawi's positioning as a competitive uranium producer amid rising global demand. With the funds providing working capital and supporting the firm's equipment procurement, the development marks a huge milestone for the project, ahead of a planned Q3 2025 first production target. Sovereign Metals, supported by Rio Tinto, is fast-tracking the Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project, home to the world's largest known rutile resource and the second-largest flake graphite reserve. A February 2025 test conducted by the firm confirmed the mine's suitability for refractory applications, while a January 2025 feasibility study projected $16.4 billion in revenue potential. As global markets increasingly seek sustainable sources of high-quality rutile and graphite, Kasiya is well-positioned to become a pivotal supplier, meeting rising industrial and green energy needs. With $665 million allocated for project development, Kasiya is expected to become a major revenue generator for Malawi. In the rare earths sector, Australia's Lindian Resources is seeking to attract new investment partners for its Kangankunde Rare Earths Project. The company recently awarded a $1.3 million contract to Mota-Engil to develop infrastructure and carry out civil works, advancing project timelines. With rare earth elements playing a crucial role in high-tech industries, clean energy and defense applications, this project strengthens Malawi's position in the global supply chain. In January 2025, Kula Gold and African Rare Metals established a joint venture (JV) for the Wozi Niobium Project to accelerate project development through expertise and shared capital. The JV has applied for an exploration license, with plans for fieldwork, sampling and a $100,000 drilling program beginning in Q2 2025. Given growing demand for niobium for steel production, the project is poised to generate substantial foreign exchange earnings for Malawi. Amid these developments, African Mining Week will provide a platform for deal-making and partnerships, connecting Malawi's mining sector with global investors and showcasing the country's growing potential as a hub for critical minerals. With an increasing focus on securing reliable mineral supplies for the energy transition, Malawi's rich deposits of uranium, graphite, niobium and rare earths present a unique opportunity for international stakeholders seeking long-term, stable partnerships. African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@ Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.
Egypt Independent
11-02-2025
- Egypt Independent
Tourism Ministry: Local participation important to tourism development
CAIRO, Feb 10 (MENA) – Advisor to the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities for Training Affairs Soha Bahgat on Monday said that striking a balance between tourism development and preserving cultural identity represents a challenge that requires the involvement of the local communities in the process. Bahgat was moderating a dialogue session titled 'The role of community empowerment in sustainable tourism and cultural heritage,' that took place at the second edition of the International Spanish-Egyptian Congress for Tourism, Hospitality, and Heritage (ISECT). The ISECT, held in Cairo, was organized by the Sinai High Institute for Tourism and Hotels in collaboration with Spain's Complutense University of Madrid. Empowering communities plays a crucial role in making tourism sustainable, as giving local residents a greater role creates more authentic experiences for visitors, supports local businesses and promotes responsible tourism practices, Bahgat added. The second edition of the ISECT took place between February 4-6 in Cairo . The Egyptian Ministries of Higher Education and Tourism and Antiquities have supervised and sponsored the congress organization. The event was attended by ministers, ambassadors, university presidents, deans of tourism and hotel faculties, and specialists and enthusiasts from Egypt and abroad. It featured diverse speakers, including 25 Egyptian specialists, 24 Spanish experts, and 41 professionals from other countries. The ISECT's primary objective is to foster collaboration between Spanish and Egyptian academics and professionals in tourism, hospitality, and heritage. The event aims to provide a platform for exchanging knowledge, scientific discoveries, and innovative approaches related to global transformations in these sectors. (MENA)
