Simon Moutter's first media statement since taking over the helm at Telecom this week has nothing to do with the telco.

In a news release from Fiordland Link Experience Moutter is quoted at length putting his weight behind tourism initiatives, including Fiordland's proposed monorail.

Company spokesman John Beattie said the former Auckland International Airport chief executive believed it was vital for New Zealand to keep developing world-class tourism projects.

In today's statement, Moutter calls for public support for new initiatives to sustain not only the sector, but jobs as well.

To be bold, the industry had to adapt to a changing world. Failing to do so would see the country fall behind, he said.

"The proposed Fiordland Link Experience, which will include the longest monorail journey in the world, is an example of the sort of ambitious privately funded tourism project this country needs to consider.

"This is the sort of product that I believe would be attractive to the high-value, shorter stay, new markets that will be vital to New Zealand's tourism future so it merits serious consideration."

With one in nine Kiwis working in the tourism sector, the industry needed to see ongoing investment while pushing ambitious projects.

Beattie told BusinessDay that Moutter made the comments between jobs and had no financial interest in the Fiordland project. Moutter was one of several national and regional tourism leaders who backed new tourism initiatives, he said.

A Telecom spokeswoman said yesterday that Moutter's first major public engagement as chief executive of the company would be on Friday week, when it reports its annual results.

Moutter could not be contacted for comment.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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