Minister for Tourism and Hospitality has announced a substantial investment into New Zealand's Great Rides.
Cycling New Zealand’s Great Rides is about to get a whole lot smoother, with a NZD 9 million Government boost for infrastructure upgrades and replacements, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston has announced.
“Together, the 23 Great Rides receive about a million visitors a year, of whom around 20 per cent are international visitors,” Upston said.
“With those numbers expected to continue growing, maintaining and improving these trails is a must, so visitors can keep enjoying the unique experience of pedalling through New Zealand’s beautiful landscapes.”
Upston said it was no secret that some of the Great Rides trails need work, therefore the first priority will be addressing issues such as improving design and resilience, making them better able to cope with rider numbers and extreme weather.
The Minister said she was excited to announce this investment and was looking forward to seeing local communities welcome more visitors to experience everything they have to offer.
She added that this initiative builds on the Government’s commitment to tourism.
“The sector is a crucial part of our focus on economic growth, with domestic and international tourism expenditure at almost NZD 38 billion and supporting nearly 200,000 jobs.”
Already this month, the Government has announced a NZD 500,000 advertising campaign marketing New Zealand as the ‘go no’ destination for Australians, NZD 30 million to support conservation tourism, and NZD 3 million for regional tourism initiatives.
Upston said the investment in tourism has received overwhelming support from kiwis, and that 93 percent of New Zealanders surveyed last year agreed that tourism was good for the country.
She said that 2025 was the year of opportunity for tourism.
“2025 is our chance to reinforce the value of tourism to a humming, vibrant country, where we welcome anyone, from anywhere, anytime.”
This announcement came in Queenstown, where Minister Upston attended the opening of the Hugo Tunnel on the separately funded Shotover Gorge Trail. Once opened, this trail will link Frankton to Arthurs Point to provide a spectacular off-road journey along the Shotover River.
The two years of funding is available through the Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trail Fund and applications open on 31 March.
This is a contestable funding round and applicants will be expected to fund 25-50 per cent of the total project cost.
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