Ruapehu supports regional tourism plan

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 684, 29 April 1997, Page 4

Ruapehu supports regional tourism plan

A change in the way it may be funded has led to support for the establishment of a regional tourism organisation (RTO) from the Ruapehu District Council — a reversal of their previous stance. Councillors voted to support the Manawatu Wanganui Regional Council's plan, following the news that funding would be by way of the general regional council rate. Previously it was to be funded by an equal contribution from all councils in the region of $15,000 each. This would have cut into the Ruapehu District Council's existing marketing budget. However, the change in funding would now mean that the money would not have to come from the district councils, although still from ratepayers. The plan would see Ruapehu ratepayers contribute about $5000, or 30 cents each per year. Council marketing manager Bruce Rollinson said while Ruapehu's main tourism partnerships were to the north, | there were advantages in having ties to the south also, particularly now that Palmerston North has an international air link. An RTO would benefit the cities first, he said, but would complement Ruapehu's own marketing.