Tourism industry calls for common sense around alcohol law reform

Common sense is needed around the Alcohol Reform Bill to ensure it doesn’t have a negative impact on the visitor experience and New Zealand’s $22.4 billion tourism industry, says the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA).

Appearing before the Justice and Electoral Select Committee today, TIA Policy & Research Manager Simon Wallace said members generally support the social objectives of the Bill that aim to reduce the harm caused by excessive drinking and intoxication. But they have concerns relating to particular clauses that could potentially damage tourism and hospitality businesses who are largely responsible hosts.

One of the contentious issues for tourism operators is that the Bill may prevent licensed establishments from serving alcohol before 8am.

“This may, for example, impact on sports bars and cafes that want to stage breakfast in conjunction with a live overseas sport event. It would be costly for these operators to have to apply for a special licence or exemption every time they want to run such an event,” Mr Wallace said.

The rules in the Bill around the sale and supply of alcohol on public holidays such as Christmas Day and Easter have also raised concerns for the tourism industry.

“These are days when hospitality businesses rely on the patronage of visitors to boost trade. The restrictions contained in the Bill could, for example, limit Air New Zealand’s ability to offer alcohol on its aircraft and in its Koru lounges on these days and prevent the Interislander from serving alcohol on its Cook Strait sailings.”

Mr Wallace says there is confusion among wineries as to the impact of the Bill on their operations and whether it will stop wineries opening on some public holidays, such as Easter Sunday.

“That would be a body blow to the wine tourism sector that is so valuable to the wider industry. This is an important trading day for wineries and a time when many visitors flock to regions such as Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa and Marlborough for long weekends that include enjoying popular wine trails.”

The backpacker and youth sector have told TIA they don’t want the drinking age raised.

“Our members who work in this sector have stressed that to continue to attract working holiday makers and the important backpacker youth market New Zealand must have a purchasing age in line with our major competitor Australia, where the age is 18,” Mr Wallace says.

TIA is also calling for sensible and consistent local government alcohol policies.

“Of most concern is a catch-all provision in the Bill which means councils may have the discretion to impose rules around pricing and promotion of alcohol – this could even extend to banning the sale of alcohol products in a certain district.”

The Bill’s authors have said the development of local alcohol policies is likely to carry significant costs for local government which will be recovered through licensing fees. Mr Wallace says at a time when the tourism industry, as with many other sectors, is experiencing difficult trading conditions, extra red tape and compliance costs will only compound matters.

“TIA’s members have a role to play in promoting the social objectives of the Bill and working with other organisations to promote a responsible drinking culture. However, alcohol consumption is an important aspect of New Zealand society and a critical element in the country’s visitor offering. We just want to see sensible laws that will work in practice and that will allow visitors to enjoy a drink in a pleasant environment.”

Read TIA’s submission.

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