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Figures released today show tourism contributed $14.5 billion to the New Zealand economy in the year to March 2016, says Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key.

“Exceptional growth in the sector has generated around 6,600 new tourism jobs in the year to March 2016, and the industry now accounts for 20.7 per cent of export earnings,” says Mr Key.

More than a million people used the New Zealand Cycle Trail last year, generating around $37 million in economic benefits for local communities, according to a new report released today by Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key.

The evaluation the New Zealand Cycle Trail, includes an independent cost benefit analysis showing that for every dollar attributable to construction and maintenance of the trails, approximately $3.55 of benefits was generated.

Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key today announced the opening of the fifth funding round of the Tourism Growth Partnership.

“Through the Tourism Growth Partnership, the Government is making $8 million a year available to boost innovation and productivity, and the lift the value of international tourism,” Mr Key says.

“Half of this funding will now be tagged for projects that grow tourism in the regions and create tourism-related jobs, through the new Regional Stream.

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key has today announced the Government has set aside $2 million to extend the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail from Turoa to Ohakune.

The proposed new trail will be partially funded through the National Cycleway Fund, and is part of the Manawatū-Whanganui Economic Action Plan which aims to boost the region’s economy, increasing jobs, income and investment.

“The proposed new trail will be up to 20km long and link with the existing Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail - one of New Zealand’s Great Rides,” says Mr Key.

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key has acknowledged Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler, who has today announced he is resigning after nearly seven years in the job.

“Kevin has done an outstanding job,” says Mr Key. “Kevin and his team have done a great job marketing New Zealand through different channels, which has seen the industry go from strength to strength and become our top export earner.

Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key today announced applications are open for further funding to maintain and enhance the quality of the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

This is the fifth round of funding through the Maintaining the Quality of Great Rides Fund.

“This funding is part of the Government’s $8 million investment over four years to ensure the Great Rides are maintained to their current world-class standards,” Mr Key says.

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key has today announced the Government is investing in a further three projects to help boost tourism in the regions.

“Tourism is vitally important to our economy, with over 160,000 people employed in the sector,” says Mr Key. “Under the Tourism Growth Partnership, the Government is investing $8 million per year to support innovative projects that will create new opportunities in tourism throughout New Zealand.”

The Government is investing more than $1.2 million in seven new projects for the upkeep and maintenance of the New Zealand Cycle Trail, Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key announced today.

The investment comes from the fourth round of the Maintaining the Quality of the Great Rides Fund and priority has been given to proposals that aim to improve safety and quality of the Great Rides – the premier rides of the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

Budget 2016 will provide $25 million in additional funding over the next four years to ensure the New Zealand Cycle Trail, Nga Haerenga continues to offer a world-class visitor experience, Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key announced today.

The investment is part of a $45 million tourism package in Budget 2016 to further support tourism’s contribution to economic and job growth in regions across New Zealand.

The Government will invest an additional $20 million over four years to further support tourism across New Zealand, Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key announced today.

“This funding builds on the wide range of Government support already in place to assist the sector to provide high-quality experiences that attract high-value visitors all year round,” Mr Key says.

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key today announced the Government is investing in three new projects to help boost tourism in the regions.

“Tourism is a significant part of our economy and a major employer,” says Mr Key. “Under the Tourism Growth Partnership, the Government is investing $8 million per year to support innovative projects that will create new opportunities in the tourism sector.”

The new projects are:

Good morning,

It’s fantastic to be back here at TRENZ.

I’d like to thank the Tourism Industry Association for having me here today. 

I appreciate the great working relationship I have with Grant, Chris and the team and acknowledge all the hard work that goes into running an event like this.

It’s also great to be back in Rotorua – one of New Zealand’s best-known and best-loved tourism destinations.

New Zealand’s economy will get a boost of more than $50 million when an additional 10,000 Chinese visitors holiday in Queenstown in 2018, says Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key. 

Each year, Amway China rewards its top sales people with an all-expenses paid international trip as part of the company’s sales incentive scheme. 

Thanks to a competitive business bid led by Tourism New Zealand, Amway’s top sales people will enjoy five days of New Zealand’s famous tourism experiences and hospitality in Queenstown. 

Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key has announced further funding to maintain and improve the premier rides of the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

Applications are now open for the fourth round of funding through the Maintaining the Quality of Great Rides Fund, a Government initiative to maintain and enhance the quality of the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

“This funding is part of the Government’s $8 million investment over four years to ensure the Great Rides are maintained to their current world-class standards,” Mr Key says.

Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key has announced the Government is investing almost $530,000 in 10 new projects that will contribute to enhancing and maintaining the quality of the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

The funding comes through the latest round of the Maintaining the Quality of the Great Rides fund and Mr Key said priority has been given to proposals that aim to improve the safety and quality of the Great Rides - the premier rides of the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key has welcomed today’s announcement by Air New Zealand that it will fly direct between Auckland and Ho Chi Minh City.

The service will begin in 2016, flying three times a week on a seasonal basis between June and October.

“Air New Zealand is the first carrier to fly direct from Auckland to Viet Nam, and the service will give greater choice and lower fares for New Zealand passengers flying to this major South East Asian centre,” Mr Key says.

Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key has announced the Government is investing in five new projects to help grow the tourism sector in New Zealand.

“Tourism is New Zealand’s second largest export earner and has a crucial role in growing our economy.  The industry is in great shape and we want to keep that momentum going,” says Mr Key. 

Through the Tourism Growth Partnership Fund, the Government is investing $1.1 million in five new projects across New Zealand.

The projects are:

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key has today announced the appointment of Raewyn Idoine to the New Zealand Tourism Board.

Mrs Idoine has an extensive background in the tourism industry having established the Sir George Seymour National College of Tourism and Travel, Natcoll.

“Raewyn’s in depth knowledge of tourism training adds a fresh perspective as we continue the push towards our goal of raising the total value of tourism to $41 billion by 2025.

Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key has today announced the Government will invest $1.5 million to support the promotion of a new air service between Christchurch and China.

Through the Tourism Growth Partnership the Government will invest $1.5 million over three years to support Christchurch International Airport’s promotion of a new direct air service between Christchurch and Guangzhou.

Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key has today announced the opening of the fourth funding round of the Tourism Growth Partnership.

“Under the Tourism Growth Partnership, the Government is making $8 million per annum available to boost innovation and lift productivity in the tourism sector to ensure New Zealand gains more from international visitors’ spend,” says Mr Key.

The Tourism Growth Partnership is a contestable co-investment fund that allows the Government to work in partnership with the tourism industry.

Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key today announced a further $935,000 will be invested to help complete the Alps 2 Ocean cycle trail.

“Once finished, the 310km trail will be a major tourism asset for the Waitaki and Mackenzie Districts, helping attract both local and international visitors to the area,” Mr Key says.

Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key is delighted with today’s figures showing a record three million visitors came to New Zealand in the past year.

“This is a huge milestone for an industry that continues to excel and is a testament to that hard work and the fantastic New Zealand experience offered to those who visit our shores,” Mr Key says.

Mr Key says that in the year ending July 2015, those 3,002,982 visitors, 7 per cent more than last year, also spent a total of $8.7 billion - up 28 per cent on the previous 12 months.

Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key has announced further funding is now available to maintain and improve the premier rides on the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

Applications are now open for the third round of funding available through the Maintaining the Quality of Great Rides Fund ­— a Government initiative to maintain and enhance the quality of the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

The Government is investing nearly $400,000 in six new projects to enhance and maintain the quality of the New Zealand Cycle Trail, Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key announced today. 

“This is the second round of funding available through the Maintaining the Quality of Great Rides Fund and brings the total investment under the fund so far to $1.36 million,” says Mr Key.