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Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremain will travel to Los Angeles today to represent the Government at The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug world premiere.

“The world premiere in L.A provides the opportunity to build on the success of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and first of the Hobbit trilogy, and strengthen the New Zealand-Americas tourism relationship,”  says  Mr Tremain.

Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremain today officially opened the West Coast Wilderness Trail in Kūmara.

The 136 km West Coast Wilderness cycling trial travels from Greymouth in the north, thorough Kūmara and Hokitika and then to Ross in the south.

“The local community have totally got behind the construction of this trail.  It’s a joint effort between the Government and local councils and offers exciting opportunities for tourism on the West Coast,” says Mr Tremain. 

Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremain today welcomed the introduction of China Southern Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner to New Zealand.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner will replace the A330 currently used on the daily service between Guangzhou and Auckland.

“New Zealand has had a thriving relationship with China Southern Airlines since they entered the New Zealand market in April 2011. Today’s arrival of the Dreamliner is a testament to their continued commitment to New Zealand,” says Mr Tremain.

Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremain today announced a funding package to support the ongoing recovery of the tourism sector in Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region.

$764,000 will be provided to the Canterbury Tourism Partnership by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). The Christchurch City Council and Christchurch International Airport will also be contributing $500,000 each to the Partnership.

Minister Tremain made the announcement after meeting this morning with Christchurch Mayor-elect Lianne Dalziel.

Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremain is visiting China this week with a particular focus on building a closer working relationship with the China National Tourism Administration.

The Minister will visit Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong from 9-13 September.

“The China-New Zealand tourism relationship is a high priority, with China now our second largest source of overseas visitors,” says Mr Tremain.

Key information on where and how visitors are spending their money is now available to the tourism industry as part of a new data collection launched today by Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremain.

The Regional Tourism Estimates, produced by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, (MBIE) can be accessed via the Ministry’s website.

Associate Tourism Minister, Chris Tremain today attended the opening of Auckland Airport’s new taxiway, an investment in infrastructure that doubles the capacity of aircraft to access part of the international terminal building.

“The Government recognises the importance of investment in long term infrastructure developments like this project. Taxiway Lima will reduce aircraft congestion, reduce delays and improve the safety of aircraft in low visibility,” says Mr Tremain.

Associate Tourism Minister, Chris Tremain today attended the opening of Auckland Airport’s new taxiway, an investment in infrastructure that doubles the capacity of aircraft to access part of the international terminal building.

“The Government recognises the importance of investment in long term infrastructure developments like this project. Taxiway Lima will reduce aircraft congestion, reduce delays and improve the safety of aircraft in low visibility,” says Mr Tremain.

Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremain today announced the reappointment of the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute Board.

“The reappointment of the Board in its entirety - Kenneth Raureti, Robyn Bargh, Tupara Morrison, Deryck Shaw and Henri Burkhardt (Chair) – is recognition of the excellent work that the Board is doing,” says Mr Tremain.

The Institute is a statutory body established in 1963 to promote and foster Maori arts and crafts and to develop the Whakarewarewa thermal reserve in Rotorua, on which its business operates.

Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremain has praised the efforts of the Waka Tapu crew for successfully completing a return voyage to Rapanui (Easter Island).

After spending nearly 200 days at sea, the two waka hourua (traditional double-hulled sailing canoes) arrived back in Auckland today to an enthusiastic welcome from family, friends and supporters. 

Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremain has congratulated Air New Zealand on the airline’s latest global award.

“Air New Zealand has been named the winner in the Global Tourism Business category at the 2013 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. This reflects Air New Zealand’s strong commitment to sustainability and their contribution to our country’s 100% Pure brand,” says Mr Tremain.

“This award shows that Air New Zealand is punching above its weight internationally and leading the way for sustainable air travel.

Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremain has welcomed the successful prosecution of two companies and two individuals convicted of mislabelling products that were sold to visiting Asian tourists.

The sentencing in the Auckland District Court resulted from charges brought by the Commerce Commission under the Fair Trading Act followed a multi-agency investigation in August 2011.

Associate Minister of Tourism Chris Tremain says today’s arrival of Hawaiian Airlines’ inaugural flight of their new Honolulu to Auckland service is a boost to tourism and will offer New Zealanders a greater choice in flying to the United States.

“This new service has real value for both New Zealand and Hawaii. The new route opens up access to Hawaiian airlines main markets such as San Diego, Seattle, Las Vegas and New York. It’s also an exciting opportunity to grow tourism in one of our premier markets.