$30m more for tourism in Budget

Tourism is getting more money to sell New Zealand to visitors as part of a $30 million increase announced this morning.

Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key made the announcement in a speech to the New Zealand Hotel Industry Conference at Sky City Hotel in Auckland this morning.

Tourism would play an important role in helping grow the economy growing faster, a key focus of next week's budget.

Most, $25m, of the funding would go towards increasing marketing New Zealand as a tourism destination internationally. The other $5m will be allocated to joint venture initiatives.

"This investment is vitally important. It reflects my confidence in the industry to substantially increase the value of tourism to the New Zealand economy," Mr Key said.

"We will do this by focusing on high-value visitors who require a high-quality experience while in New Zealand.

"I have always believed tourism has the potential to grow far beyond the status quo and this funding will help give that belief wings. We have the raw materials in our beautiful scenery, we have the commitment of an industry that is continually striving for excellence, and now we have the funding to sell that message even more strongly all over the world."

- NZPA