WELLINGTON, Nov 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Cash injected travel card for every citizen was proposed by the country’s tourism industry, as the sector is desperate to get impetus, after being hit by COVID-19.
Chris Roberts, Chief Executive of Tourism Industry Aotearoa, told audience at a tourism summit that, the New Zealand government should provide more support, such as cash equivalent travel cards, to revive the tourism industry.
The Travel Card proposal was part of the 100-day plan for the New Zealand government, raised by the industrial organisation, which believed the government should issue travel cards with 200 New Zealand dollars injected to every New Zealander for domestic tourism, outside weekends and school holidays.
Chris Roberts said the Travel Card initiative would encourage New Zealanders to spend on domestic travel, giving much-needed business to faltering tourism operators.
“Domestic travel is critical to New Zealand tourism industry’s survival,” said Roberts. He also advocated for other targeted support to the tourism industry including government loans or grants to tourism businesses.
Negotiations are underway to open a travel bubble between New Zealand and the Cook Islands. Meanwhile, a one-way trans-Tasman air bridge is currently in place for New Zealanders to travel to Australia.
Scenario modelling of the industry’s recovery, released by Tourism New Zealand, showed the number of New Zealanders travelling around the country in Jan, 2021 may see a year-on-year jump of 118 percent.
New Zealand Tourism Minister, Stuart Nash, also unveiled four key points that the government will focus on, including strengthening Brand New Zealand, prioritising sustainability, and more partnership between government and industry.– NNN-AGENCIES
