The King Country and tourism under a Labour Government

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 1, 5 June 1984, Page 8

The King Country and tourism under a Labour Government

Jim ,

Simons

Labour Party Candidate King Country

For too long the King Country has • languished under an M.P. and a Government that has shown it has no concern for rural areas, says Mr Simons, Labour Candidate for King Country. Indeed why should they? Mr Bolger and his National colleagues know that on election day the votes will come in regardless of performance and attention to these electorates! The dismal growth rates and the high unemployment in the King Country speak for themselves. As a percentage of the total regional development vote the King Country has consistently been near the bottom of the 1 1 priority regions. Intheyears 1974-76 under a Labour Government 138jobs a year were created as a direct result of regional development policies. This meant 69 jobs a year. Since 1976 293 jobs h'ave been created as a direct result of regional development policies. This is a measly 37 jobs per year! When we become Government in November, regional development will be restored to the important position that it held when we kicked it off nine years ago. The King Country was a priority region then, we will make it so again. What does this mean for the people of the King Country electorate? In conjunction with our global marketing, our added value, our new style of Government with its openness and consultation written into our policies and with our ability to bring employen

and workers together, it will mean growth and prosperity with the people of the electorate and the country working together. We see tourism as a front line industry, but it must not develop at the expense of New Zealanders. A kiwi on holiday in his own country is a tourist and therefore must be catered for. We will initiate a 'See New Zealand First' campaign with appropriate prices, accommodation and support services. To attract the overseas tourist, tourism requires co-ordinated and imaginative development. A consultative marketing plan will be developed for

the tourist industry based on research targeted at the areas of greatest potential for growth. I am talkinghere about North America, Japan, Australia, Europe and the Asian nations. We believe New Zealand must be marketed overseas as a total concept. We will develop a global marketing strategy that links tourism and trade. The portfolios will be combined also. We believe this country should be promoted as having a clean and fresh environment, as a peaceful land with wholesome foods and a developing multicultural society. The global marketing strategy must be carefully researched and aggressively pursued. It will add value to

New Zealand's image overseas in full competition for the tourist and trade dollar, deutschmark, yen or any other currency. Ways of developing an independent and permanent souce of funds to assist the promotion of tourism will be investigated in consultation with the industry. New Zealand foods must be promoted. If we sell one lamb meal in a New Zealand restaurant to a foreign tourist we return more to our economy than if we export an entire carcass of lamb to Europe. Tourism is a working example of Labour's regional development strategy. We will help local and regional authorities and private operators to develop tourist attractions in the regions. We will encourage recruitment of local staff. The present restrictions on local . Government involvement in holiday and tourist facilities will be removed. Tourist projects in regional development areas will qualify for regional assistance. I would add that we fully recognise the excellent work done in the recent Tourist Council report. That could be a useful basis for Labour's sector plan, but come what may New Zealand's, and more importantly to us the King Country's, tourist industry will be researched, marketed, financed and developed with full consultation among all who have an interest in or are affected by tourism, when we become the Government.