Chester Borrows: Tourism a boon for region

Chester Borrows

TOURISM is growing rapidly and it plays an increasingly important role in the expansion of our local economies. The numbers of tourists visiting New Zealand are rising steadily and forecast to keep on growing.

Whanganui and South Taranaki have some wonderful spots to attract tourists, great tramps and amazing fresh produce.

Many of the attractions are unique in the North Island (where's the nearest paddle steamer?) and let's never forget that Whanganui is home to the largest art collection outside the main centres.

The conservation efforts over many years have produced a world-class sanctuary at Lake Rotokare and we have many unique museums and collections which are becoming more well-known.

As roads improve in the region and our air connection with our largest city is consolidated, we can expect more international and domestic tourists in all parts of the region, boosting our economy in many ways.

I am sure that hotels, motels, camping grounds and bed-and-breakfasts are all excited about more people choosing to experience the beauty of the district.

Statistics New Zealand has recently released some staggering numbers that should have every council and main street business trimming and titivating the berms and frontages, so that we give that all-important great first impression.

In the year up until the end of August this year, visitor arrivals in New Zealand reached a new all-time record of 3.36 million, that's up a significant 11 per cent compared with the previous 12 months. And there is more good news -- those visitor arrivals are forecast to keep growing by a steady 5.4 per cent each year to reach 4.5 million visitors in the year 2022.

Four-and-a-half-million visitors! By comparison, what's our actual population? Pretty darn close.

For those of us who live here that means more opportunities for local businesses along with associated new job opportunities. As a result the Government is assisting regional communities to invest in the infrastructure and planning that supports the growing tourism sector as the regional economy also diversifies into specialist manufacturing and agriculture, sports and education. It's little wonder that New Zealand is currently the third fastest growing economy in the OECD.

The impressive visitor figures also mean a rise in the free and independent travellers. Not every visitor is on the Auckland-Rotorua-Christchurch-Queenstown and "home before you know it" circuit.

Sure, New Zealand needs that category of visitors, but I suspect our guests are a bit different.

The free and independent travellers are in the driving seat themselves and often in no particular hurry.

I'm not saying they'll all have a message on their tailgate but these folk are just as likely to enjoy as fossick at The Bank Eclectic Vintage in Eltham or take a look over Ed Boyd's Autobarn and really get a buzz out of simply experiencing the heartland.

I get a bit excited when I see the positive results from increased visitors which are steadily contributing positively to our regional economy. There's a great deal to be proud of here.

We have a lot of attractions for visitors to enjoy, so let's be ready with the friendly smiles.