5th May 2021 Funding / Government
The finance minister says pre-Covid tourist growth “was not sustainable, from an economic or environmental perspective”.
The new money brings the total amount loaned to the airline by the Govt to $1.5bn.
The public-private plan for tourism – the biggest effort yet to reshape the sector – will now never be realised.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment increases fees for some visa holders, lifts requirements for Kiwis to meet payment exemption.
The Government will inject another $170m into the aviation sector through to the end of October 2021.
The government has picked former Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe to join a new advisory group to help improve the country’s Covid-19 response.
The Government will participate in an equity capital raise in order to maintain a majority shareholding in Air New Zealand.
But a more sustainable approach could deliver benefits, says Grant Robertson’s 2021 Budget Policy Statement.
The Climate Change Commission’s landmark report on decarbonising the economy has signalled a stronger focus on emissions from the tourism sector is in the pipeline.
But a state-by-state approach with Australia has not been ruled out, says Jacinda Ardern.
The Government has approved the health and border requirements needed for quarantine-free travel to restart between New Zealand and Niue.
Regulation to manage supply and price inefficiencies are among mooted recommendations from the Tourism Futures Taskforce.
The incoming Government must provide a roadmap for recovery for the sector and both supply and demand support, says Tourism Industry Aotearoa.
The group hoped a new tourism minister would move quickly to investigate better ways of providing support for the tourism sector.
The incoming Government must be bold in overhauling conservation legislation in the interests of both the natural environment and tourism.
The Tourism Futures Taskforce not presenting its final report until April next year is a “disgrace”, says Aroha New Zealand Tours.
Tourism businesses needing digital transformation support to adapt to a Covid-era market can now tap into the Government’s $20m digital capability funding.
The move means gatherings of up to 100 will be allowed in the country’s largest city.
However, tourism could start recovering from September next year with safe travel corridors possibly open.
Physical distancing on public transport has eased but masks must still be worn, says PM Jacinda Ardern.
However, the wait for any reallocated funds could be months away.
The new support will help travel agents recover tourist funds locked up overseas.
The rest of the country will stay at level 2 until at least midnight 16 September.
The Government is looking to fill the gap in its Tourism Futures Taskforce after the departure of Tourism Holdings CFO Nick Judd.
Both large and small tourism business owners have secured multiple grants for different operations.
The extra four days at level 3 will allow the city to “move down and stay down”, says Jacinda Ardern.
More Kiwis are now choosing to camp and many of them might not know how to do it responsibly, says the minister.
Tourism Industry Aotearoa is calling for $2.8m of support from the Government for help with operator compliance costs.
As many inbounders face oblivion, the tourism minister reiterates the Govt’s position on its support for ITOs.
The increase in defence personnel would reduce the reliance on private security firms, especially at high-risk areas such as entry and exit areas.
Ruapehu District Council will receive $7.78m in Government funding to jump-start its Housing Options programme.
The finance minister has outlined the details on the financial support available for businesses and individuals affected by current alert level restrictions.
The latest extension will apply nationwide and last as long as the level 3 lockdown.
Cabinet ministers will decide in a virtual meeting at 3pm today whether to extend the Covid-19 alert levels due to expire at midnight tonight.
The volume and value of applications the PGF had received far exceeded the funding available.
New Zealand citizens and residents currently overseas were not liable for charges if they were returning home permanently.
The Pacific Islands Forum Economic Ministers Meeting began yesterday with a focus on the major economic and social impacts of Covid-19 on the Pacific region.
Popular holiday destination Mangonui has been granted $6.5m for improvements.
People coming into New Zealand for temporary visits of fewer than 90 days, or who arrive after leaving on August 10, will soon have to pay for their managed isolation.
MTB Rotorua’s Tak Mutu makes the exclusive group, which will advise the Govt on what changes to make to tourism.
The Govt also unveiled a $20m loan facility for ITOs and a $50m events fund.
The funding would cover mediation for commercial landlords and tenants whose leases did not provide for a reduction of rent in the event of an emergency.
New Zealanders returning home for a visit will be charged $3100 to cover the costs of the Government’s managed isolation and quarantine.
The New Zealand and Australian governments have reaffirmed a commitment to introduce a trans-Tasman safe travel zone “as soon as it is safe to do so.”
The Govt says there would be safety and logistical challenges standing up Dunedin’s hotels.
Thousands of tourism jobs have been saved in Australia after the Govt there extended its JobKeeper scheme.
Eligible operators will get up to $5000 worth of professional business advice.
The $14bn remainder of the Covid Response and Recovery Fund is being set aside in case of unforeseen events such as a second Covid wave.
A decision would be made soon on whether the city’s hotels would take part in the programme.
A permanent police presence will be at every managed isolation and quarantine facility.