Monday 21st May 2001

The tourism industry deserves better than piecemeal handouts, ACT Tourism Spokesman MP Penny Webster said today.

"The handout to Maori tourism today is not what the industry is asking for.

"All tourism operators are facing the same issues. Not just Maori tourism, but all tourism, could benefit from less red tape and compliance costs.

"The message from tourism operators is clear: the main inhibitors to their business are the Resource Management Act and compliance costs. Tourism operators are entrepreneurial - they see an opportunity and go for it. So we should be maximising the chances for all operators to seize new opportunities.

"At the TRENZ conference this morning, I heard this same message again and again from tourism operators.

"Tourism is a growth industry, and very important to New Zealand. Rather than giving money in a haphazard fashion, it is important to get the climate right for the entire industry to grow," Penny Webster said.

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