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Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) believes that changes to the New Zealand's Resource Management Act must balance care for the environment with the pressing need for new infrastructure to cope with New Zealand’s tourism boom.

TIA Chief Executive Chris Roberts has today told the Local Government and Environment Select Committee that many tourism operators felt the RMA often hindered development. RMA requirements could be difficult, expensive and time-consuming.

The total annual value of tourism has increased by about $6.5 billion in the last three years and is now worth about $32.5 billion a year to New Zealand’s economy.

New Zealand welcomed three million international visitors last year, and is forecast to reach four million by 2019 and 4.5 million by 2022.

Roberts explains “this growth requires a response in terms of infrastructure – more public facilities, more accommodation options, good roads for visitors, a wider choice of attractions and activities. This infrastructure response needs to happen very quickly, or New Zealand will fail to deliver a quality visitor experience.”

Roberts believes that the proposed changes to the legislation are a step in the right direction, adding “local government needs to be a significant facilitator in providing the tourism infrastructure that is needed, but currently it is often a significant inhibitor and that often impacts on how the RMA is applied.

“Greater national guidance for councils, better processes and faster decision making will all be welcomed by tourism businesses.”

Roberts says it is not the intent of the RMA that tourism businesses object to, as tThe tourism industry recognises that the RMA is a key tool for protecting the environment, which is crucial for our ‘100% Pure New Zealand’ tourism promise.

However, the RMA needs to facilitate – not hinder and discourage – sensible development.

Roberts concluded “the tourism industry is very mindful of the need to look after New Zealand’s natural environment, which is our main drawcard as a destination.

“We believe that the proposed amendments will help support economic growth including the ongoing expansion of the tourism industry, while retaining the necessary environmental protections.”

Click here to read TIA’s submission on the Resource Legislation Amendment Bill.

Image: Mt Owen in Kahurangi Park.

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