Labour

ADDRESS TO THE TOURISM SUMMIT – on behalf of Phil Goff

TE PAPA

WEDNESDAY  13 JULY 2011

MARYAN STREET

The Maori tourism sector has stepped up to make amends to three British tourists robbed at Whangarei Falls of money and their passports , says Labour’s Tourism spokesperson Kelvin Davis.

Labour Tourism Spokesperson Kelvin Davis is delighted that his idea to have in-flight education campaigns for tourists is being heard by Wanaka Land and Search Rescue team leader Gary Dickson.

The tourism industry needs to do more to protect visitors to our country, says Labour Tourism Spokesperson Kelvin Davis.

“New Zealand is doing quite nicely in attracting visitors to our shores but once here we do little to keep them safe as evidenced by the numbers getting bashed and robbed,” Kelvin Davis said.

Any moves to hand over Department of Conservation Camping grounds to private companies to be run at a profit may signal the end of the genuine Kiwi camping experience says Labour Tourism Spokesperson Kelvin Davis.

There are two issues that need to be considered Kelvin Davis says.

Minister of Tourism John Key needs to intervene in what is becoming a blot on the New Zealand's tourism landscape says Labour Tourism Spokesperson Kelvin Davis, in response to news that more freedom campers have been attacked and their camping van set on fire.

"The latest attack highlights a number of problems the Minister needs to address," Kelvin Davis said.

 Two incidents involving tourists over the weekend highlight the fact that New Zealand tourism still has some way to go to fully live up to its core value of manaakitanga (hospitality), says Labour’s Tourism spokesperson Kelvin Davis.

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key must act decisively over the Taipa land occupation before Northland’s reputation as a safe place to holiday is ruined, says Labour’s Tourism spokesperson Kelvin Davis.

The bad news that total guest nights have decreased is deeply worrying for those in the accommodation sector, says Labour’s Tourism spokesman Kelvin Davis.

Regardless of Prime Minister John Key’s political games, The Hobbit will be a great advertisement for New Zealand and the tourism industry, says Labour’s Tourism spokesperson Kelvin Davis.