Transport Industry Aotearoa said that support for tourism announced in the government’s 2023 Budget will help more tourism businesses succeed as employers of choice.
TIA Chief Executive Rebecca Ingram has welcomed the news in Budget 2023 of $18.2 million over four years for implementing the Better Work Action Plan – developed collaboratively by Government, Māori, industry and unions.
The Better Work Action Plan is a holistic package of proposals that will bring about positive changes in the tourism industry.
“Delivery of the Better Work plan has the potential to be transformative for our industry and the ambition we have for more tourism businesses to become employers of choice. This funding ensures the plan doesn’t sit in a top drawer,” Ingram said.
The Budget also stated that the Treasury now forecasts New Zealand will avoid recession thanks in part to the contribution of tourism.
“Tourism is an important contributor to New Zealand. Our ambition is to be a regenerative industry. Investment that supports us to progress towards this goal is welcome and appreciated. We look forward to working in partnership with the Government to achieve it.”
Ingram also said it was well-signalled that this would be a cost-of-living budget designed to support families throughout this particularly challenging time. The tourism industry has been recognised as doing its part to support the communities it operates in and the economy.
Tourism businesses are directly employing more than 145,000 Kiwis, with 76% paying staff a Living Wage or above, according to TIA’s recent workforce survey.
Funding for initiatives such as the Better Work Action Plan will help provide support for businesses, operators and workers across New Zealand.
TIA is also pleased to learn that there will be significant investment in infrastructure resilience (in the aftermath of this year’s wild weather,) as well as funding for major events. An EV charging network has also been announced, as well as further funding for Māori Tourism and for the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute to continue.
"While we can appreciate Budget 2023 has looked widely for savings, we are disappointed to see the Innovation Programme for Tourism Recovery Fund has been reduced by $10m," Ingram said.
“This programme was launched in November last year and is just getting started. It is designed to enable the industry to transform, innovate and take big strides towards our ambition of regenerative tourism. Reducing the fund size curtails the potential positive impact of tourism from these innovative new projects."
