Press Conference Opening Statement – Japanese National Press Club

Thank you for coming, it’s a pleasure for me to meet with you today. As New Zealand’ s Minister of Tourism, I represent an industry that is vital to our country’s future.

My message today is simple: it is business as usual in our country despite the impact of the dreadful events of 11 September on the tourism industry worldwide.

New Zealand has traditionally enjoyed widespread international recognition as a safe place to travel. In fact, readers of two leading international travel magazines, Conde Naste and Wanderlust, recently judged us the world’s safest travel destination.

There is no reason to think that this might have changed since 11 September.

In some ways we are fortunate in New Zealand, we have a small population, 3.5 million people in an area about 70% of Japan’s, and are relatively isolated from the world’s “hot spots”, Our distance from our major markets is often a challenge, but it can be a blessing as well.

This does not mean that we have been complacent about the potential risks to New Zealand. We have tightened our security at airports to ensure a higher level of safety for passengers and crew. This has not, however, affected travel industry facilities in New Zealand which continue to operate to their normal high standards.

The travel industry world-wide has of course been severely affected by the downturn in passenger numbers, and we felt the impact of this, though we have not been affected as badly as many other countries. For example, while bookings from Japan to New Zealand are down by around 25 per cent for November and December, Japanese bookings to all destinations world-wide are down around 40 per cent.

Generally, inbound travel figures to New Zealand for October 2001, show a decline from US and Japan markets, over 20%. However visitors numbers from Korea and China are showing significant growth – a 34% increase from Korea and a 62% increase for China.

These figures show how markets have had quite different reactions in the wake of September 11. However, I would like to stress to the Japanese people that many visitors are still continuing to travel to New Zealand and enjoying what New Zealand has to offer.

Like many airlines, our national airline, Air New Zealand, has been through a tough period as well, although I’m pleased to say that the airline is now seems secure for the foreseeable future.

My government recently agreed to fund a substantial re-capitalisation of Air New Zealand. This decision was not taken lightly, but it recognised the vital role Air New Zealand plays in our economy.

Despite the tough international travel environment, Air New Zealand has maintained its commitment to the Japanese market. It has recently upgraded its regular services to Osaka, and plans to go ahead with all but seven of the 22 originally scheduled charter flights from smaller Japanese airports to New Zealand during our summer months.

Many school excursion trips to New Zealand were cancelled soon after Sep 11th but many have rebooked for the March/April period. In addition to the expected charter flights, there are good signs of an increase in outbound travel from Japan, starting from early 2002.

Our Prime Minister, Helen Clark has given a message to the Japanese people to reassure them that New Zealand is a safe destination to visit, and there is no change in daily life. This message will appear in national newspapers from today.

Apart from an increase in security, daily life in New Zealand has not changed following 11 September. Visitors from all countries are continuing to enjoy travelling to New Zealand and we expect Japanese planning to travel will be able to continue with and enjoy their current itineraries.

Today I am very pleased to announce that this morning our government agreed to allocate an additional $2 million dollars to Tourism New Zealand for a major marketing campaingn to aimed at boosting the number of Japanese visiotrs to New Zealand.

This funding will open the way for private sector support from Japanese wholesalers of around $5 million for promotional activity, with a further $5.5 million equivalent contribution for Air New Zealand in the form of airfare reductions.

There are many wonderful attractions and activities waiting in New Zealand. Our tourist attractions have enticed growing numbers of Japanese visitors to New Zealand in recent years. We are always delighted to welcome them and we know they will enjoy visiting our beautiful country.

Thank you.