tourism nz funding

New Zealand opens $54 million Innovation Programme for Tourism Recovery

Sarah Pollok

Share this article

Innovative projects and schemes dedicated to promoting Taonga Māori would be a priority for the Innovation Programme. Photo / Stephanie Holmes

Applications have opened for the Innovation Programme for Tourism Recovery, an initiative designed to improve New Zealand's tourism sector.

The $54 million Innovation Programme will focus on projects that helped the tourism industry deliver on its goals, said tourism minister Stuart Nash.

"We want to see projects that are sustainable, low carbon and that can deliver on our goals for a high skilled and high wage sector," he said.

The minister added that projects must make "a real difference" for a visitor's journey, from the moment they start dreaming of a trip, to returning home and telling others about the experience.

Nash acknowledged that Covid had been a "difficult time" for the tourism industry, despite support via the $400 million Tourism Recovery Package and $200 million Tourism Communities Plan.

However, he said the industry was in a place where they could start looking forward.

"I'm pleased that we are now at a stage where we are fully focused on a bright and innovative future for our tourism sector," he said. "We are already at 88 per cent of International Electronic card transactions spend compared to 2019 and summer season has only just started," said Stuart Nash.

What projects is the programme looking for?

As hinted by the name, the Innovation Programme for Tourism Recovery is dedicated to both repairing the tourism industry and innovating ways to be more secure and sustainable in the future.

Projects that reduce carbon emissions, improve biodiversity and protect the natural environment will be considered, according to the minister.

Iwi / hapū or Māori enterprises with projects dedicated to promoting Taonga Māori will also be a priority, as well as projects that use technology to lift productivity or capability of the tourism sector and improve resilience to future impacts.

"We welcome innovative and impactful ideas that are going to contribute towards bettering business models, processes and experiences for tourism in Aotearoa," said Nash, adding that other sectors could also propose projects that could have a transformative impact on tourism.

How will funding work?

The programme will be delivered across two funding streams.

One stream will focus on developing projects that need further conceptual work. These projects will receive up to $25,000 in co-funding.

The second stream is for projects that are ready for delivery, with full proposals and business cases. Successful projects will receive between $100,000 and $10 million.

Why the focus on sustainability?

Nash said developing and achieving a "regenerative tourism" model was critical for several reasons.

This would ensure the tourism industry has a positive impact on the environment, can adapt to climate events and appeal to new consumer priorities.

"We expect that visitors are becoming increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of their travel," Nash said.

"It's vitally important we continue preserving our natural environment as one of our key attractions as a world class destination."

Latest from Travel

Watch: Entire plane booted off flight after passenger's six words

It should have been a simple task. Instead a passenger was taken away in handcuffs.

Never tried alligator nuggets? A trip to the US Deep South is anything but usual

Why seeing this pasta dish on the menu is a red flag for Italians

See the world’s wonders with these hot deals

Have the holiday of your dreams with My Queensland

• Careers at BDO New Zealand
• Coronavirus (COVID-19)

New $49 million fund to kick-start NZ tourism after Covid

Businesses in five key South Island tourist locations are being targeted by three new Government initiatives, worth $69 million in total.

From this Friday 1 April, tourism businesses in Westland, Southland, Kaikōura, Mackenzie and Queenstown Lakes Districts will be able to apply for a grant valued between $10,000 and $50,000 as part of the Government’s new Tourism Kick-start Fund. This is in addition to the current Business Advisory Support and business implementation advice funds already available.

There are three business initiatives eligible tourism businesses affected by COVID-19 can apply for:

• $10 million Business Advisory Support (up to $5,000 per business operation) to enable businesses to receive expert advice and support, such as on changing target markets, or scaling their business.
• $10 million in grants for businesses to implement business advice (up to $5,000 per business operation), including help with financial and cash flow management, business continuity, marketing, digital enablement and HR advice.
• If your revenue in 2019/20 financial year was $60,000-$260,000, you would receive $10,000.
• If your revenue in 2019/20 financial year was more than $260,000, you would receive two weeks revenue up to a maximum of $50,000.

Tourism businesses can apply for one or all of the initiatives if eligible. Each initiative provides one grant per business operation, which must be physically based in at least one of the five locations specified.

Richie O’Meara, Managing Partner at BDO Southern Lakes and Central Otago, said: “It’s great to see the Government acknowledging the pain of the last two years for tourism businesses. I’m working with a number of local tourism entities who will be keen to take advantage of this fund. Tourism in Aotearoa is absolutely open for business and the clients we work with are keen to make sure their business is as strong as it can be to harness the opportunities that NZ’s borders opening will bring. They are ready to go from merely surviving to thriving, and this fund will help them get there.”

Who is eligible for the support?

To apply for the business advisory support fund, you must:.

• Be a tourism business – which is defined as a business where at least 50% of operational output is purchased by tourists (domestic or international). This can include service businesses whose output is purchased by tourism businesses, and encompasses accommodation, arts and recreational services, food, transport and retail.
• Be physically based within at least one of the five districts.
• Be a privately-owned business or Māori Trust or incorporation under the Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 or similar organisation managing Māori assets under multiple ownership (Charitable Trusts, Incorporated Societies, Non-business entities, and Local and Central Governments are ineligible).

In addition, to apply for the Business Advice Implementation Grant, you must also have received advice from the Regional Business Partner Network or similar alternative channel.

To be eligible for the Tourism Kick-start Fund , in addition to meeting the criteria for the Business Advisory Support fund, you must also;

• have engaged in hibernation-like activities, for example: reduced opening hours, level of services, customers or business capacity due to COVID-19. Compared to 2019/20 financial year, a business must have experienced a drop in annual revenue of at least 50%;
• have a minimum annual revenue of $60,000 pre-COVID-19 (2019/20 financial year);
• not have received direct Government tourism support from the Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme; and
• pass a viability test demonstrating that the business will remain viable and operating up to and beyond the border re-opening. This can be discussed with one of your Lead Entity’s Growth Advisors.

The Tourism Kick-start Fund can be used for recruitment and wages, training, operating expenditure, fixed overheads (e.g. leases), marketing and repairs or maintenance directly related to scaling up business operations. It cannot be used for capital expenditure, any situation where a potential conflict of interest may arise, or paying off debt.

You can read more about eligibility here .

How to apply

Each location has a lead entity administering the fund, and applications must be made directly to that entity:.

• Tourism Communities Initiatives  — ChristchurchNZ
• Tourism Support  — Great South
• Queenstown Lakes: Support, Recovery & Re-Set Plan  — Business South Inc
• Tourism Recovery and Re-set Kickstart Plan  — West Coast New Zealand

BDO is a registered service provider with the Regional Business Partners Network and we are currently supporting tourism clients through the ongoing effects of the pandemic. If you need help applying or want to check your availability, reach out to your local office today to see how BDO can help you kick-start your tourism business.

View all Ministers

View all Portfolios

Tourism Infrastructure Fund now open

Applications are now invited from all councils for a slice of government funding aimed at improving tourism infrastructure, especially in areas under pressure given the size of their rating bases.

Tourism Minister Stuart Nash has already signalled that five South Island regions will be given priority to reflect that jobs and businesses in these areas have been hardest hit by the loss of international visitors.

“The Tourism Infrastructure Fund opens today for applications,” Mr Nash said. “Between $13 and $18 million is likely to be available.”

“I am particularly keen to see ideas for projects from Kaikōura, MacKenzie District - Aoraki Mt Cook, Queenstown Lakes, Fiordland and South Westland.

“I have today released the formal Priorities Statement that sets the framework for applications. My Priorities Statement makes it clear that while all councils can apply for support with tourism infrastructure, applications from five regions will carry extra weight.

“The projects in these five regions will provide much-needed local employment as tourism towns work to diversify their economies. The new infrastructure will also ensure the quality of the visitor experience is improved for when tourists return in greater numbers.

“The Fund is open for applications till Friday 30 April. Applications are assessed by a Panel of representatives from local government, central government agencies, and those with experience in the tourism and infrastructure sector,” Mr Nash said.

The Minister’s Priorities Statement is copied below.

Tourism Infrastructure Fund – Round Five

Priorities Statement

The Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF) provides financial support for local visitor-related public infrastructure where tourism (domestic and international) is placing pressure on, or potential growth is constrained by, existing infrastructure, and where the local community is unable to respond in a timely way without assistance.

New Zealand’s regions and the tourism industry have been impacted by COVID-19. The regions of Kaikōura, Mackenzie, Queenstown-Lakes, Fiordland, and South Westland have been particularly hard hit. Round five of the TIF will ensure central government support and investment in local government infrastructure can continue over this uncertain time and  help improve the visitor experience for kiwis and international visitors when they return.  

Government’s priorities for Round Five

TIF applications are assessed against the TIF eligibility and assessment criteria agreed by Cabinet. Round Five will prioritise projects that demonstrate the need for additional visitor-related public infrastructure. This includes capital works required for infrastructure to manage responsible camping. 

Applications are invited from all councils.

Applications from councils in Kaikōura, Mackenzie, Queenstown Lakes, Fiordland, and South Westland will be prioritised.

Projects should also:

• provide innovative approaches to infrastructure needs
• provide sustainable investment which ensures that visitors contribute to the ongoing costs of infrastructure
• use best endeavours to construct any infrastructure out of carbon-neutral building materials
• make use of technology where possible
• retain community support for tourism and ensure high quality experiences
• address capacity issues and future-proofs the proposed infrastructure
• align with the Government’s Tourism Strategy and your region’s destination management planning

Feasibility studies or needs assessments will continue to be considered.

Further details

Further information on the TIF, including the eligibility and assessment criteria, can be found on MBIE’s website at:

https://www.mbie.govt.nz/immigration-and-tourism/tourism/tourism-funding/tourism-infrastructure-fund/

Multi Million Dollar Tourism Funding To Encourage Kiwis To Go With Tourism

Tourism Industry Aotearoa and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development welcome today’s announcement by the Government that it is awarding $5.2 million from the new International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) to help promote and attract talent into the visitor economy through the expansion of the Go with Tourism initiative.    Go with Tourism is an innovative online job-connector platform which was launched by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) earlier this year, generating strong early results for a sector experiencing significant skills shortages.    Go with Tourism was developed following  Perceptions Research  in 2018 jointly commissioned by ATEED and TIA, which identified some of the myths and misconceptions about working in tourism and how they might be overcome.

ATEED and TIA will now support the platform’s incorporation into a wider national programme of activity to build the tourism workforce.   The funding was announced this afternoon by Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis at the Tourism Export Council of New Zealand Annual Conference 2019 in Christchurch.    The $5.2m investment is a significant boost for the tourism industry in its bid to attract new talent. It is estimated that 40,000 new tourism workers need to be recruited by 2025 to address forecast labour shortages.    The funding will support a range of initiatives identified in the Careers in Tourism business case commissioned in 2018 by the People & Skills Forum to counter some of the poor perceptions young people and their key influencers may have of careers in tourism.    Steve Armitage, ATEED General Manager – Destination, says “we are delighted that the Government along with tourism industry leaders have seen the clear value of the mahi we have done to establish the Go with Tourism platform, and has endorsed the financial support to roll both the platform and the wider package of initiatives out across the country.    “Getting more people into tourism is one of the key strategic imperatives to emerge from the Destination AKL 2025 strategy and is a particular focus for us given the mega opportunities that are fast approaching us in 2021, starting with the 36th America’s Cup.”     Chris Roberts, Chief Executive of TIA, says today’s announcement funds one of three coordinated work streams aimed at building the tourism workforce over the next 3-5 years.     The repackaged Go with Tourism programme will include the expansion of the current platform into more regions, setting up a national hub with a dedicated team to manage the initiative along with regional coordinators, building an online knowledge hub for everyone in the industry, and organising engagement opportunities nationwide, such as school ambassadors, industry open days and a 'Pledge a Placement' programme.      “By partnering with ATEED and Go with Tourism, which is ready to roll out across the country, we can quickly implement the package of initiatives aimed at firstly educating New Zealanders about opportunities to work in tourism and then creating bridging opportunities into the industry,” says Roberts.   “The other two workstreams are about improving education and workforce planning, and upskilling programmes for businesses. TIA is continuing to work with government officials and ATEED to pull together the full Investment Plan for Building the Tourism Workforce.” 

Written by Anika Forsman

Tourism New Zealand is responsible for promoting New Zealand in key markets as a visitor destination.

How TNZ markets Aotearoa New Zealand

By 100% Pure New Zealand

How we promote       The tourism sector       Tourism's contribution

To ensure tourism gives back more than it takes, we target high quality visitors from key markets. 

Once here, it’s important our visitors have a great experience, so we also guide them on travelling safely and caring for our home, people and culture.

We want to ensure that tourism contributes across four well-being pillars:

• Economy  The tourism economy thrives and grows adding incremental value to the New Zealand economy and its assets.
• Nature  Tourism restores, maintains and nourishes the environment for the intergenerational benefit of New Zealand.
• Culture  The tourism story and experience preserve and enhance our values, culture and heritage; the makeup of our identity.
• Society  People in and part of tourism communities thrive through jobs, shared knowledge, and physical and mental well-being.

How we promote New Zealand

Our activity is carefully focused on several key markets around the world and a select group of consumers within those key markets. This is so we get the maximum yield for the tourism industry.

We work offshore to encourage our target market, the 'Active Considerer' to come now, visit more of our regions and do more during their time here. Our advertising, media and events activity is continually evolving, to stay one step ahead of our competitors.

As well as marketing to consumers, our trade training, marketing and media programme is designed to ensure that those who sell New Zealand have the knowledge and understanding to do so well.

Back to top

Who makes up the tourism sector

Minister of Tourism and Hospitality The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality is responsible for supporting and promoting tourism and hospitality. As part of this role, the Minister sets expectations for Tourism New Zealand.

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE)  MBIE handles tourism policy and regulation. It provides tourism policy advice to the Minister of Tourism and works with other Government departments on key tourism policy issues, tourism research and statistics.

Tourism New Zealand  Tourism New Zealand is the organisation responsible for marketing New Zealand to the world as a tourist destination. A Crown entity funded by the New Zealand Government, it was set up under the New Zealand Tourism Board Act 1991.

Regional tourism organisations (RTOs)  RTOs operate in around 31 regions in New Zealand. They handle promoting their region to international and domestic visitors. Some RTOs are funded in part or in full by their local council, others are funded by annual membership fees.

Tourism industry the tourism industry provide tourism products, experiences and activities for international and domestic visitors.

Tourism sector's contribution to New Zealand

Before COVID-19, tourism was New Zealand's largest export industry and delivered $40.9 billion to the country. Tourism made a significant positive impact on regional economies supporting employment by directly employing 8.4 percent (229,566 people) of the New Zealand workforce.

For the year ended March 2023:

• Tourism was New Zealand second largest export earner
• Total tourism expenditure was 37.7 billion, an increase of 39.6 percent ($10.7 billion) from the previous year
• International tourism expenditure increased 456.9 percent ($8.9 billion) to $10.8 billion and contributed 11.4% to New Zealand’s total exports of goods and services
• GST generated from international tourists totalled $1 billion, an increase of $858 million
• Overseas visitor arrivals to New Zealand increased 858.7 percent to 2,199,073
• Tourism generated a direct contribution to GDP of $13.3 billion, or 3.7 percent of GDP, an increase of 30.9 percent ($3.1 billion)
• The indirect value added of industries supporting tourism generated an additional $8.8 billion, or 2.5 percent of GDP
• 189,432 people were directly employed in tourism, 6.7 percent of the total number of people employed in New Zealand.
• In total, 317,514 people were directly or indirectly employed in tourism, or one in 9 New Zealanders.

Let us show you the best of New Zealand on other platforms by selecting 'On' and allowing us to share data from your visit(s) with our partners.

Our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy explain how we use your data and who our partners are.

Your current setting:

In addition to above, we use other cookies and analytics to provide a better site experience. To view cookie details and how to opt-out, please see our Cookie Policy

We use cookies to provide you with a better experience on this site. Keep browsing if you're happy with this.

We also use cookies to show you the best of New Zealand on other platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy to understand how you can manage cookies.

Accommodation

Government & Politics

Infrastructure

Environment

Research & Reports

Asia Pacific

North America

South America

Middle East & Africa

IVL: Govt scoping $100 visitor levy, TNZ funding

16th May 2024 By Paul Yandall | [email protected] | @tourismticker

Sorry, you do not have authorisation to view this page!

If you would like to view the content on this page you will need to be a Tourism Ticker member. Click here for our subscription packages.

As a tourism specific news site we work hard to bring you breaking and original content for the industry.

We value your support to make this happen!

Related Articles

2 Apr 2024   “We need innovative ideas” – Doocey on suspension of Tourism Innovation Programme

28 Mar 2024   Doocey to talk tourism, hospo in Timaru

25 Mar 2024   Doocey: Show me evidence why we can’t have cruise, planes at Milford

25 Mar 2024   $15m TNZ budget cut “potentially wrong”, IVL scoped to fill gap – minister

12 Mar 2024   Doocey among Tourism Policy School speakers

8 Mar 2024   TDLG backs $5m investment in tourism insight, MBIE launches search for suppliers

7 Mar 2024   “Tourism will play critical role in recovery” – Doocey buoyed by IVS results

1 Mar 2024   TSA: Doocey, industry leaders laud operator fightback in tourism’s recovery

21 May 2024   Hampshire / Holiday Parks

Nz holiday parks “exciting” expansion opportunity – hampshire ceo, 21 may 2024   angus & associates / tia, operators optimistic with costs/pricing top challenge – survey, 21 may 2024   skycity, skycity to pay another $4m over casino breaches, 21 may 2024   infratil / wial, infratil committed to wellington airport, prefers council stay in, 21 may 2024   roundup, tuesday 21 may, 20 may 2024   hwt, rto jobs on the line, hwt restructuring if funding halved – leggat.

Home Roundup People Events Campaigns Transport Activities

Accommodation Government & Politics Infrastructure Māori Environment Technology

Data Research & Reports Features Resources Companies Jobs Market Calendar

China Australia Asia Pacific North America South America Europe Middle East & Africa

About Contact Newsletters

Advertise Sponsor Subscribe

NZ Media Council Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions

© 2024 Business Media Network Ltd Website by Webstudio

• Entertainment

Budget 2024: Māori tourism seeks investment in regions, reputation rebuild, infrastructure and education

The New Zealand tourism market, valued at $37 billion, is the country’s second-largest export earner. TRENZ , Aotearoa’s largest tourism event, wrapped up in Wellington in early May. The event offers a global platform for tourism operators to build partnerships and showcase their offerings.

TRENZ officials welcomed 1,000 delegates from New Zealand and 200 international buyers from 25 countries. For Māori tourism operators, it was a prime opportunity to highlight their rich cultural heritage and unique experiences.

“For Māori, it’s about our connections with the earth and the sky, and especially with the environment. We take into consideration family and our extended communities. We are a collective, and our economic benefits go back to the community,” said Wetini Mitai-Ngatai from Mitai Cultural Tours .

Debbie Robertson from Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa emphasised the importance of sharing Māori traditions: “For us, sharing our stories, sharing what we’ve been doing for hundreds of years in Rotorua, our healing waters. It is a blend of saunas, waterfalls and pools, but it’s our infusion of cultural touchpoints that make it unique.”

Porina McLeod from Mauao Adventures echoed these sentiments, highlighting the connection between people and the land.

“We essentially connect people of the world and our locals to our whenua, to our moana, and to us as tangata whenua. We do that by way of paddleboarding, waka ama and walks up our maunga, Mauao.”

Despite their resilience, Māori tourism operators face significant challenges.

“During Covid-19, Rotorua was hit hard. We were impacted by more whānau being put up for housing, and the reputation brand-damage that Rotorua sustained. We are still trying to recover from that, and it’s going to take us a long time,” Robertson explained.

Dean Savage from Dive Tatapouri pointed out the lingering effects of natural disasters.

“After the cyclone, there was a perception that we were closed for business. We want to change that perception. We are now open for business.”

Last year’s budget allocated $8 million to Māori Tourism. As they look ahead to the 2024 Budget, Māori tourism operators have specific needs and hopes for continued support.

“We need support to get us out of that perception of brand damage and to connect with all our products across the motu,” Robertson stressed.

McLeod highlighted the need for training and development.

“If we had the funding to be able to train our kaimahi and allow them to develop their knowledge and understanding of their own stories and areas for about three months, that would be beneficial.”

Savage emphasised the importance of infrastructure.

“My hope is that they stay the course with regards to building roads of resilience that we need in Tairāwhiti. Without those roads, we don’t have our visitors coming, and we don’t have our goods leaving the district. So, if I ask for funding, maintain the track for good infrastructure.”

Mitai-Ngatai suggested focusing on rural entities, rather than those already well-funded.

“Those doing well and already having substantial investment should not be the focus. Instead, we need to concentrate on supporting Māori and rural entities.”

As the tourism sector eagerly anticipates the 2024 Budget on May 30, the hope is that it will address these needs, providing the necessary support for Māori tourism operators to thrive and continue sharing their cultural heritage with the world.

Navigation for News Categories

International visitor levy up for review as minister considers raising fee.

Tourists at the Red Shed in Glenorchy. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey has not ruled out most international visitors paying more before entering New Zealand.

Tourism leaders are discussing the major issues and opportunities facing the sector at the annual TRENZ conference in Wellington this week.

International visitors pay a $35 fee collected through visa applications which has been split equally between conservation and tourism.

Doocey said the levy, which had been in place for five years, was up for review.

"The advice that I've received is that with inflation that would have to be today, in today's dollars about $42.15," he said.

"That's part of the thinking about, as we move towards growth, how do we better support regional tourism organisations and the sector across the country."

He confirmed the government would consult on the levy about whether it should stay the same or if it should increase and by how much, and where it should be spent.

Some of the levy funding was earmarked to go towards improving data and insights, he said, which had been a bugbear of the industry for years.

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey says some of the levy funding is earmarked to go towards improving data and insights. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

He did not believe there was any reason tourism could not rival the country's largest export earner, dairy. The government wanted to create an environment to help businesses to flourish and be a pragmatic part of solutions, he said.

The question of how many tourists should be coming to the country was not one he believed he should answer, saying the regions should be working out how many visitors they wanted.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) chief executive Rebecca Ingram said the industry had momentum and was looking for new opportunities.

A recent survey showed operators were feeling optimistic especially after a strong summer, with about 80 percent feeling positive about the next 12 months.

"Like many businesses, tourism business owners are conscious of increasing costs and product pricing, quickly followed by workforce retention. Weather-related challenges, climate change related impacts and managing staff wellbeing are also top of mind," she said.

While staffing had improved, about 50 percent of business told the TIA they were recruiting - which was still quite high, she said.

"We are also seeing positive changes in the seasonal nature of our workforce, with 74 percent of respondents planning to hold their staff levels over the winter as they did last year to retain skills and ensure they were ready for next summer."

Doocey says it is up to regions to decide how many visitors they want in their area. Photo: 123RF

Addressing that seasonality was one of Tourism New Zealand's focuses.

Chief executive René de Monchy told TRENZ that many operators faced significant a drop off in visitors and income with reduced staff outside peak season.

"The challenge is that over-reliance on those three months over summer, 37 percent, 40 percent of the value so imagine a tourism sector with a more stable year round demand," he said.

"A world where tourism operators have the greater ability to invest into their product, invest in their sustainability, invest in their workforce and people, and invest in their community."

It was much more sustainable for tourism operators and regions to have visitors spread out throughout the year rather than relying on a summer surge, he said.

"Utilising our consumer data and our insights, developing some new travel insights amongst our target audiences to motivate them to come here."

That would include busting some myths about what tourists could do if they travelled to Aotearoa outside of the peak season, he said.

Copyright © 2024 , Radio New Zealand

Related Stories

Future of regional tourism 'dire' if council funding cut.

Hawke's Bay could lose out on $250 million a year in visitor spend if its tourism body is forced to close, chair says. Audio

Minister exploring ways to expand tourism industry

The Tourism and Hospitality Minister says nothing is off the table when it comes to helping fund the industry and the vital infrastructure it needs.

National's tourism policy promises new Great Walk, holiday visas rework

National is promising a new Great Walk, e-bike chargers on cycle trails and a rework of working holiday visas as part of its tourism policy.

Supreme Court gives green light to Auckland Council's hotel bed tax

The council is a step closer to reinstating its controversial hotel bed tax after the Supreme Court ruled in its favour.

New Zealand

• What is homesteading, a 'hard but appealing' lifestyle?
• Thousands turn to rongoā Māori for treatment of their injuries
• Toxicologist tells Gloriavale inquest he could not rule out possibility man was huffing paint
• Weather updates: Warnings may be extended, MetService says
• Ministry of Education failing to help redundant staff - union
• Liz Gunn guilty of assault after Auckland Airport incident

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs

Top News stories

• Bill repealing section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act passes first reading in Parliament

New Zealand RSS

Follow RNZ News

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Balance transfer cards
• Cash back cards
• Rewards cards
• Travel cards
• Online checking
• High-yield savings
• Money market
• Home equity loan
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Options pit
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

'The Great American Getaway:' Shapiro unveils new state tourism brand at PNC Field

• Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later. More content below

A road-ready Gov. Josh Shapiro took an outfield stage Monday at PNC Field and unveiled a new state tourism brand for Pennsylvania: “The Great American Getaway.”

With an RV that will carry him to 50 stops in 14 counties over the next week parked on the warning track, Shapiro launched the brand aimed at selling the state’s myriad attractions, historic destinations, parks, restaurants and more to residents and prospective tourists alike. It comes as the governor seeks a 60% increase in funding for tourism and business marketing in his proposed budget.

“I wanted to be here today ... because I wanted this to be the place where we launch our new brand, where we rolled out our tourism launch for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to see, because I understand there are some incredible destinations and some great experiences you can have right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” Shapiro told the crowd. “I wanted to be here because this region demonstrates the opportunity that we have when it comes to tourism and when it comes to economic development.”

Getaway is the operative word of the “Great American Getaway” brand, with Shapiro touting the state as an ideal excursion for the roughly 72 million people who live within four hours of its borders.

While tourism currently contributes roughly $77 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy annually and supports nearly 500,000 jobs statewide, including about 5,000 in Lackawanna County, the governor said the state can and must do even better as it competes for visitors and the economic value they bring.

“Supporting our tourism industry doesn’t just help the restaurants, amusement parks and shops, it also boosts our entire economy (and) strengthens the lives and livelihoods of our fellow Pennsylvanians,” Shapiro said. “But for too long ... we have lagged behind other states. Some of our top competitors in the tourism space — New York and Michigan and Illinois — they actually all invest more state dollars in tourism than Pennsylvania has historically.”

The $18 million increase in tourism and business marketing funding that Shapiro proposed and lawmakers are considering will “help make sure that those 72 million that live within a four-hour drive know about everything Pennsylvania has to offer,” he said.

Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association President and CEO Joe Massaro described tourism as a “tool for leveraging all Pennsylvania assets for the betterment of its communities,” noting each household in the state would need to pay $880 more in taxes to replace the revenue generated by the tourism industry.

But Massaro agreed that Pennsylvania is falling behind other states in terms of tourism promotion efforts. He cited a study that found more than $15 billion in visitor spending and tax revenue were left on the table due to inadequate state marketing investments.

“The increase in tourism marketing funds championed by the governor ... offer the opportunity to correct course,” Massaro said. “According to the same study, every additional dollar invested in tourism marketing is projected to yield another $65 in visitor spending and $4.47 in increased state and local taxes.”

Lackawanna County Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Curt Camoni also praised the proposed tourism funding boost, noting great messaging and branding only goes so far without the investment behind it.

“We are back in the game and can start telling people what an amazing place Pennsylvania is to visit and to live,” Camoni said. “Because let’s not forget, what we call tourism in my industry, my friends at the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and chambers across the Commonwealth call ... quality of life, not only for our residents but for the businesses and the workforce they’re trying to attract.”

The Great American Getaway branding materials can be found online at the updated visitpa.com , where new weekend road trip itineraries are available for travelers.

Among other efforts, Visit PA is also promoting the new brand through a summer marketing campaign running through August statewide and in regional markets, including New York City, Washington D.C., Cleveland and Toronto.

“Now, during our 250th anniversary and well beyond, we are poised to do great things in Pennsylvania and investing in tourism is going to help us accomplish a great deal of that,” Shapiro said.

Recommended Stories

Volvo and aurora introduce their first self-driving truck.

Volvo and Aurora just showed off the Volvo VNL Autonomous truck at ACT Expo in Las Vegas.

Microsoft wants to make Windows an AI operating system, launches Copilot+ PCs

Microsoft wants to bring generative AI to the forefront of Windows — and the PCs running it. At a keynote ahead of its annual Build developer conference this week, the company unveiled a new lineup of Windows machines it's calling Copilot+ PCs, plus generative AI-powered features like Recall, which helps users find apps, files and other content they've viewed in the past. Copilot, Microsoft's brand of generative AI, will soon be far more deeply integrated into the Windows 11 experience.

Rafael Devers hits home run in record 6th straight game to lift Red Sox past Rays

Rafael Devers is now just two home runs shy of matching MLB’s all-time record.

Aurora and Volvo unveil self-driving truck designed for a driverless future

A new self-driving truck — manufactured by Volvo and loaded with autonomous vehicle tech developed by Aurora Innovation — could be on public highways as early as this summer. The Volvo VNL Autonomous truck, which was revealed Monday evening at the ACT Expo in Las Vegas, is the product of a partnership between Aurora and Volvo Autonomous Solutions. Aurora plans to start hauling freight using these Volvo self-driving trucks in the next several months.

Scarlett Johansson says that OpenAI approached her to use her voice

OpenAI is removing one of the voices used by ChatGPT. Users found that it sounded similar to Scarlett Johansson, the company announced on Monday, and Johansson herself released a statement saying she hired legal council to inquire about the Sky voice and get exact details about how it was developed. "We believe that AI voices should not deliberately mimic a celebrity's distinctive voice—Sky’s voice is not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson but belongs to a different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice," the company wrote in a blog post.

Veteran WR DeVante Parker retiring after nine seasons in the NFL, just months after signing with Eagles

DeVante Parker struck a deal to join the Eagles earlier this offseason.

I review tech for a living, and these are the 30+ best early Memorial Day deals: Save big on TVs, laptops and more

Some early Memorial Day wins: 40% off of Apple AirPods, 50% off a Samsung 55-inch Smart TV and $100 Beats Studio Pro headphones.

ETF Partners raises €284M for climate startups that will be effective quickly — not 20 years down the road

While many climate investors focus their efforts on breakthrough, deep-tech solutions, Patrick Sheehan at ETF Partners has other ideas. “I’ve actually got nothing against carbon capture and storage, apart from the fact it’s probably going to be commercialized too late,” he told TechCrunch. Instead, Sheehan and his colleagues are diving into more software-centric companies that promise to still move the needle.

'Like sleeping on a cloud': Save up to $700 on Tuft & Needle's bestselling mattresses for Memorial Day

The popular mail-order bedding brand slashed prices on sheets, pillows, toppers, quilts and more.

Scarlett Johansson says OpenAI used her likeness without permission for its 'Sky' voice assistant

Actor Scarlett Johansson has accused OpenAI of copying her voice for one of the voice assisstants in ChatGPT despite denying the company permission to do so.

Doug Pederson: Trevor Lawrence 'hopefully' signs extension with Jaguars 'sooner' than later

What type of extension will Lawrence demand after an up-and-down first three NFL seasons?

I cover fashion for a living — these are the Memorial Day sales I'm shopping at Amazon, Walmart, Hoka and more

Save up to 70% on staples like a flattering swimsuit, fan-favorite shorts, top-selling sneakers and a breezy cooling bra.

VinFast crash that killed family of four now under federal investigation

The top vehicle safety regulator in the U.S. has launched a formal probe into an April crash involving the all-electric VinFast VF8 SUV that claimed the lives of a family of four, TechCrunch has learned. A spokesperson for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) told TechCrunch on Monday that its Special Crash Investigations division will "document the crash circumstances and the ensuing fire." The victims, who have been identified by the Alameda County Sheriff's Department as Tarun and Rincy George, and their two children, did not own the vehicle.

NYC-Dublin real-time video portal reopens with some fixes to prevent inappropriate behavior

When putting a video portal in a public park in the middle of New York City, some inappropriate behavior will likely occur. The Portal, the vision of Lithuanian artist and entrepreneur Benediktas Gylys, was designed to bring people together and let them share common experiences. After it opened earlier this month, the vast majority of people who went to the portal on both sides of the Atlantic waved to each other, brought their kids and pets and did friendly human things.

Macy's Q1 earnings preview: Declines expected as management weighs a buyout offer

Wall Street expects another quarter of sales declines for the department store chain.

With Recall, Microsoft is using AI to fix Windows' eternally broken search

At its Build 2024 conference, Microsoft unveiled Rewind, a new feature that aims to make local Windows PC searches as quick and effective as web searches. Similar to third-party apps like Rewind, Microsoft’s Recall uses AI to retrieve virtually anything you’ve seen on your PC.

iOS 17.5.1 fixes reappearing photo bug

If you’ve noticed deleted photos reappearing on your iPhone, download this software update now.

Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs will be available this fall

A gaggle of PC makers rolled out their first Copilot+ PCs on Monday, but they all run on Qualcomm silicon. Intel said today its first chips to support Copilot+ AI features, will arrive in the fall.

Save $120 this Memorial Day on a 43-inch Amazon Fire Smart TV

Amazon is rolling out Memorial Day deals. We like this 32% off deal on a 43-inch Amazon Fire Smart TV with Alexa voice remote.

What is a cashier’s check, and how does it work?

If you need to make a large payment, a cashier’s check can be a more secure alternative to personal checks or cash. So how does a cashier’s check work? Here’s what you need to know.