Auckland Airport welcomes $158 million boost for tourism

Auckland Airport welcomes announcement of $158 million boost for tourism

Auckland Airport welcomed the announcement today that the upcoming Budget will include the investment of an additional $158 million into the tourism industry.

The funding, announced by Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key, will see $158 million invested into the industry over the next four years to achieve growth in tourism earnings through targeted initiatives that will support and grow emerging international markets.

Although details of where the $158 million will be invested will not be confirmed until later this week at the upcoming TRENZ tourism conference in Auckland, the Prime Minister has advised that the funding will have a focus on attracting high-value tourists to New Zealand in markets with real potential for growth.

Adrian Littlewood, Auckland Airport Chief Executive, says he is delighted with the announcement as it will help to increase the value that the tourism industry, already a driver of economic growth, will generate for the New Zealand economy.

“The New Zealand tourism industry has been experiencing some very fast growth from key emerging markets, particularly Asian markets such as China, Indonesia and India, and the economic potential for developing these markets further is massive. This significant investment will certainly help the industry to expand these markets and maximise the potential benefits they can bring to our economy.”

“We are also pleased that the funding will have a focus on attracting high-value visitors to New Zealand. The importance of positioning New Zealand as a premium destination to affluent visitors, who are increasingly interested in luxury travel, is crucial for the trade and tourism sector. World tourism is a competitive place and this substantial investment will be fantastic in helping the industry to attract the premium end of the visitor market to the benefit of our economy.”

As part of their Ambition 2020 strategy, Auckland Airport has already put in place a host of initiatives in the last year to attract high-value visitors from key emerging markets, including their Luxury New Zealand programmes.

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