Opposition Spokesman for tourism visits Waimarino

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 24, 11 November 1986, Page 6

Opposition Spokesman for tourism visits Waimarino

Summer tourist potential for the Waimarino is threatened by the reduction in Government funding of the Tongariro National Park summer nature programme, according to John Banks, opposition spokesman for tourism. Mr Banks visited the Waimarino recently, calling on tourist operators. motelliers, Turoa skifields. mayors and the Tongariro National Park. He was escorted by Ian Enright, chairman of the OhakuneRaetihi branch of the National Party. Mr Banks said the activities associated with the national park need to be expanded and promoted, not wound down. He said the park is the region's greatest single asset as far as the

summer potential is concerned. Less tourism in the summer months was one of the main concerns of local people when talking to Mr Banks. "It's cra/y that we've spent so much money developing access through the park and at a time when people want to utilise and experience this outstanding facility. we wind it down — it just does not make sense and I want to know why it's been wound down." Mr Banks said he would ask the Minister of Lands. in Parliament, why funds for the programme had been stopped. He said access to the park for older, less fit people is also of concern and heliskiing and helicopter sightseeing, with helicopters landing in the park, should be put

through a trial period. "The National Park belongs to all of us and should be available to all of us"hesaid. Mr Banks said he was very impressed with the professional way the park was run, with signposting, walkways and access. Other points raised by Mr Banks with regard to tourism in the Waimarino were: •Access. To maximise the region's tourist potential the Waimarino needs airport facilities capable of taking short-haul jets. He said the huge potential for tourism could be missed if ease of access was not gained. • Accommodation. Conference facilities and accommodation suitableformediumsized conventions is needed. He also said if more people were encouraged to invest in accommodation then more

people would make summer visits. He believed the number of beds in Ohakune would treble in the next 15 years. • More skiers. Mr Banks said $60 million rather than $18 million could be brought into the area if more people were encouraged to try skiing. He said less than two percent of Aucklanders skied at present and this figure could be increased to six percent. • Winter Olympics. Mr Banks said negotiations over the possibility of hosting a winter olympics in the Central North Island should be investigated. • Welcome. Mr Banks believed locals should learn how to adopt social skills to make people feel welcome. "A smile to a tourist todav could be a job for your kid tomorrow," he said.