Bay of Plenty tourism to reap rewards of $5.5m fund

English couple Tabitha Luke and Neil McLean exchanging rings during their wedding ceremony in a mud pool at Hell's Gate, Rotorua. Photo/file

Minister of Tourism Paula Bennett has announced a $5.5 million fund to help support tourism infrastructure in New Zealand.

The fund will help councils build tourism infrastructure, such as $110,000 of funding for Whakatane District Council in the previous funding round to enhance four designated overnight camping areas."

"We all know tourism is great - for our regional economies, for jobs, for all sorts of businesses. It's our biggest export earner, and in Bay of Plenty alone visitors spent over $1.7 billion in the year to January," Ms Bennett said.

"In most places we have excellent visitor facilities, but there's no doubt we need more to support growth in the sector. Every area needs something different - whether that's bogs or bins, carparks or campgrounds, infrastructure is key."

Ms Bennett said she was working with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the industry to meet immediate demands now while also looking towards the future.

"That's why we're putting $5.5 million in an additional round of tourism infrastructure funding for regional communities. We're prioritising smaller councils with a low ratepayer base (who are less able to afford new facilities) through the Regional Mid-sized Tourism Facilities Grant Fund. This second round is in response to the high quality and number of applications received in the fund's first round, held last year," she said.

"At that point we approved $3 million for 14 projects across the country, from enhanced freedom camping facilities across the Bay of Plenty to parking at Taranaki's Rotokare Scenic Reserve, which benefit locals and domestic tourists, as well as our international guests.

"Facilities like these are normally the sole responsibility of the local council but we have recognised the challenges that have come with growth in tourist numbers and are assisting where appropriate.

"There are a range of initiatives already underway that support the tourism sector. Many of these form part of the Government's tourism strategy, which coordinates our efforts to help regions respond to and benefit from increasing visitor numbers."

The whole-of-Government approach for tourism infrastructure in Bay of Plenty includes:
• a forecast $591 million in roading improvements through the 2015-2018 National Land Transport Programme
• $17 million toward the ultra-fast broadband programme
• $1.5 million over five years in the annual Rotorua Lakes Council mud festival
• $79,000 towards the development of a regional visitor economy strategy.

Ms Bennett said supporting tourism infrastructure and providing core facilities to ensure every visitor had a great experience was one of their top priorities.

"With quality infrastructure, we can continue to attract high-value visitors and keep them coming back, ensuring you and your family reap the benefits of the tourism boom."