Tourism operators appreciate support since cyclone

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

As the regional tourism industry advocate for tourism operators in Tairāwhiti Gisborne, we met last week for the first time since Cyclone Gabrielle. It was unanimous that a vote of thanks be conveyed to all those involved in the business recovery.

We would like to thank central government and Trust Tairāwhiti, the local delivery partners, for moving quickly to direct the business support funding to our region. We also thank the many organisations for the services and help provided. The effort was phenomenal and a real credit to the people of the East Coast. This support was well received and enabled many to continue to operate in these trying times.

We know there is still more work to do to bring visitors back to revive our tourism, business, and communities. We are open for business, and it is thanks to the business support that this is possible.

Executive — Tourism Operators of Tairāwhiti Gisborne