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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.

The Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key today announced the appointment of Mike O’Donnell as a member of the New Zealand Tourism Board.

Mr O’Donnell is the Chief Operating Officer for Trade Me, New Zealand’s largest online business; a business columnist; and Chairman of Positively Wellington Tourism.

Mr O’Donnell is resigning his Chairmanship to take up his position on the New Zealand Tourism Board.

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.

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key today released criteria for applications for funds from the Tourism Growth Partnership, a new government initiative aimed at boosting innovation and lifting productivity in the tourism sector.

“Under the Tourism Growth Partnership, the government is making $28 million available over four years to support innovative projects that will create new opportunities and overcome barriers to growth in the tourism sector,” says Mr Key.

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. 

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key today released details of Budget initiatives for tourism, including $34 million for business events and $20 million to attract very high-value visitors.

As part of a larger internationally-focused growth package, the Government is investing an additional $158 million in tourism through Budget 2013 to attract more visitors to New Zealand, particularly high-spending visitors.

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key today released details of the $158 million of additional funding for tourism announced in a pre-Budget speech earlier this week.

As part of a larger internationally-focused growth package, the Government is investing significantly in tourism through Budget 2013.

This will include $28 million over four years to co-fund business innovation and growth initiatives in the sector.

“We want to support innovative ideas and projects that will create new opportunities and overcome barriers to growth in the tourism sector.

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key today released details of Budget initiatives for tourism, including $44.5 million to attract visitors from emerging growth markets and $24.5 million to boost tourism from existing markets.

As part of a larger internationally-focused growth package, the Government is investing an additional $158 million in tourism through Budget 2013 to attract more visitors to New Zealand, particularly high-spending visitors.

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key today told a business audience in Wellington that a key focus of the upcoming Budget would be a package of internationally focused growth initiatives.

“New Zealand’s prosperity is highly dependent on our ability to form and maintain strong links with countries around the world. Exports of goods and services, including tourism and international education are vitally important for our economy,” says Mr Key.

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.

Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremain today launched a new data collection that provides a never-before-seen insight into New Zealand’s tourism industry.

The Regional Tourism Indicators, produced by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, is based on anonymous electronic card transactions made since 2008. International data is collected from electronic transactions at over 30,000 retailers across the country.  Domestic data is captured from transactions made using BNZ bank cards.

Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremain has welcomed the arrival of Waka Tapu to Rapanui/Easter Island.

Two waka hourua (double–hulled sailing canoes) carrying 12 crew departed Auckland in August on a 10,000 nautical mile voyage to Rapanui and back.

“Today the waka reached Rapanui safely – using only the stars, moon, sun, ocean currents, birds and marine life to guide their way across 5,000 nautical miles of the Pacific Ocean,” says Mr Tremain.

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key has announced continued funding to support and rebuild tourism in Christchurch.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has provided $500,000 towards a second year of the Canterbury Tourism Partnership. This has been matched by contributions from Christchurch International Airport and Christchurch City Council.

Mr Key made the announcement at the Ibis Hotel opening ceremony this morning.

Associate Minister of Tourism Chris Tremain says the departure of Waka Tapu this morning from Waitemata Harbour to Rapanui (Easter Island) was an historic moment for New Zealand.

The two waka hourua were guided out of the Harbour by an impressive flotilla including Royal New Zealand Navy vessels, waka tua (war canoes) and other waka hourua.

The Government has welcomed news the Australian Government has revised its travel warning for Christchurch and Lyttelton, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Associate Tourism Minister Chris Tremain say.

“Getting tourism back on its feet in the region is incredibly important for the rebuild and recovery of the wider Canterbury region,” Mr Brownlee says.