Editorial: Tourism industry on top of its game

John Key tries out a virtual reality headset at TRENZ in Rotorua. Photo/Stephen Parker

Rotorua's tourism industry must be feeling on cloud nine about now.

It's been a big week for those involved in the industry.

Not only did the town play host to hundreds of influential travel buyers from around the globe, a big new transformation was revealed for Te Puia - New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, which will also benefit from the largest award made under the Government's Tourism Growth Partnership.

Then there was Prime Minister John Key's announcement the Government would invest an extra $20 million over four years to further support tourism across the country.

Rotorua is already looking at ways it can tap into a new regional mid-sized Tourism Facilities Fund to help community with small infrastructure projects to cope with the growing number of tourists and travellers to New Zealand.

On the city's wishlist are things like better lakeside facilities and increased digital capacity - items that will benefit both locals as well as tourists.

You can't argue the benefit tourism has to our economy.

This past summer the booming tourism industry played a huge part in growth in spending in Rotorua and improved economic confidence in town.

Let's face it, when the tourism industry is going well and there's plenty of visitors in town, the city hums.

Rotorua tourism businesses expect to have generated about $106 million worth of new business during Trenz last week - with people so keen to attend there were waiting lists.

We all know what it is like when we've been away on a fantastic holiday - the way we go home and rave about the place, the people, the sights and the food.

To know there will be hundreds of people heading off around the world doing that right now and spreading tales about their time in Rotorua is another massive boost to an industry on top of its game.

Those involved with Trenz should be incredibly proud of what they've achieved.