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by Mat Woods, Chief Executive
Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism

We’re incredibly fortunate to live in this safe corner of the world. A place we are proud to call home. A destination we can share with visitors.

Tourism has long been one of New Zealand’s largest export industries, contributing billions to the economy and employing a significant portion of our local workforce.

Last year, the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (the IVL) increased from $35 to $100, which is a fee paid by most international visitors who arrive in New Zealand, except citizens of Australia. The IVL fund was set up for 50/50 investment across conservation and tourism, including mixed used infrastructure.

This year, central government has made several tourism boost announcements with the IVL fund used for generating visitor demand and supporting Tourism New Zealand’s international marketing. While it’s been great to see the government’s confidence in tourism and the potential for the industry, it’s important this growth is managed sustainably so our region remains a world-class place to live and visit.

Compared to other parts of the country, Queenstown Lakes district has experienced strong recovery in visitor numbers boosting jobs and increasing the national GDP. But this alongside a growing population does put pressure on infrastructure and essential services.

As the two regional tourism organisations for this district, Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism support the need for a balanced approach towards growth. To ensure we protect the visitor experience and our local way of life, it’s essential that tourism growth is balanced by considering infrastructure capacity, workforce availability, and community wellbeing.

Whilst Tourism New Zealand needs funding to promote Aotearoa, this should come from the consolidated funds, ensuring the IVL is used for what it was originally set up for - conservation and tourism infrastructure projects. The Tourism Growth Roadmap, released by MBIE recently, is a multi-year approach focussed in the short term on demand (marketing) before moving to supply-side development (infrastructure, workforce, environment).

This leads to the question – does New Zealand need a National Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) – an independent body that coordinates across both demand and supply? This could see visitor demand matched with investment in the services that support it, to benefit locals and visitors.

We have a Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, and Tourism New Zealand plays a crucial role in international marketing. However, we need to balance this by building the foundations that support thriving communities alongside a thriving visitor economy.