Green light for NZ's 'Great Rides' cycleway
15 May 2009
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key today (14.05.09) announced the Government would spend $50 million over three years to build a national cycleway.
Mr Key told the New Zealand Hotel Industry Conference the initiative would create a series of 'Great Rides' of New Zealand that would have the long term aim of creating a network throughout the country.
Routes would be influenced by existing cycleways, facilities, and tourism attractions.
"Some promising routes have already been identified and I expect to have announcement on them in the next couple of months," Mr Key said.
Queenstown - Invercargill
The first route could run from Queenstown to Invercargill, and on to Bluff.
The cycleway would help create jobs, a high-quality tourism asset which would help attract higher-value cycle tourists and complement the 100% Pure brand, Mr Key said.
Hospitality Association of New Zealand chief executive Bruce Robertson said the cycleway was a good investment and had the potential to provide cash injections for hotels along the route.
"For example, on the Queenstown to Invercargill route there are a number of country hotels that will benefit, which will see local communities benefiting from tourism to a greater extent than in the past," he said.
Paul Yeo, chief executive of the Inbound Tour Operators Council, said any investment in the tourism sector was a good thing.
"I hope this will be the first step in a wider programme of investment in tourism infrastructure and marketing," he said.
However, it would be for the tourism industry to find ways to add value to the cycleway, through innovative ideas around packaging and product development.
Reason to travel
David Perks, chief executive of Positively Wellington Tourism, said the cycleway would give New Zealanders a good reason to travel.
"For international tourists, there are probably a lot who would cycle, but not the whole of New Zealand. But this will appeal to those who want to do a short scenic section and enjoy a different experience," he said.
Mr Key said the cycleway was the first of what he hoped would be a number of initiatives that would help deliver on the Government’s vision for the New Zealand tourism industry.
"That we make the very most of our competitive advantages, and that we seize the many opportunities they provide."
Higher-value destination
Mr Key listed five key things New Zealand tourism needed to do to achieve that vision.
"We need to make New Zealand a higher-value destination. We need to respond to the world as it changes. We need to improve the business environment. We need to work more closely with each other, and we need to make the most of the Rugby World Cup."
He emphasised the importance of delivering on the expectations of visitors that come to New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup in 2011.
"We must make sure visitors get what they come for and more, and that they go home singing our praises and yearning to return."
He also highlighted the importance of China to the future of New Zealand tourism as a market with much potential for growth.
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