Waikato tourism eyes up Govt cash

The Waikato's tourism sector is likely to benefit from a $5 million national windfall aimed at regional tourism organisations.

Prime Minister John Key promised this week to inject an extra $20 million in the tourism sector, including the $5 million RTO joint venture fund for Tourism New Zealand to partner with the private sector and regional tourism organisations.

A group led by Hamilton International Airport is in the process of developing a strategy for how the region's tourism entity should operate, but in the meantime is still keen to get its hands on some of the government funding.

Hamilton International Airport regional tourism manager Kiri Goulter, who was appointed in March to promote the region, said the additional funding would enable Waikato to partner with other regions to better promote itself overseas and piggyback on the 100% Pure New Zealand brand.

Details of how the $5 million will be allocated have not been announced. Should it be split evenly across the country's RTOs each would get $172,413.

Ms Goulter said it would be a welcome addition to the $450,000 given to the entity from the airport's five shareholding councils – Hamilton City Council, Waipa District Council, Waikato District Council, Matamata-Piako District Council and Otorohanga District Council.

"We are already engaged with some of our neighbouring regions and private sector partners on collaborative campaigns and this extra funding allows us to become even more effective with these activities in key markets such as Australia," she said.

"It also provides us with the chance to look towards new initiatives and partnerships, particularly within the Central North Island collective, which we are very keen to pursue."

Meanwhile, a formal decision on whether Tourism Waikato would be resurrected would be made next year.

Regional Tourism Organisations New Zealand (RTONZ) chief executive Charlie Ives expected the funding to be given to joint venture projects involving a number of RTOs.

Waikato became a member of RTONZ about three months ago, boosting the number of RTOs to 29, and it was his view the organisation was reforming.

The extra funding was expected to bring in around 45,000 additional visitors each year and further promote the 100% Pure New Zealand brand in key markets such as Australia, followed by the United States and China.

- © Fairfax NZ News