Two Lakes District tourism-related businesses will receive a total of $400,000 through the Government's "tourism growth partnership''.
Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key yesterday announced a $250,000 grant to Wildwire Wanaka, which has built and operates a via ferrata above Mt Aspiring Rd, and $150,000 to Queenstown Resort College to expand its ambassador programme.
The via ferrata's rungs and wire bridges allow tourists to safely explore the Twin Falls waterfalls in Mt Aspiring Rd.
The business was started by Mark and Laurel Morrison in January.
Mr Morrison told the Otago Daily Times yesterday the government funding would assist with marketing but also enable them to expand the route of the via ferrata to the very top of the falls, making it the highest waterfall climb in the world.
Mr Morrison said Wildwire offered two guided tours, but completion of the route to the top would allow the addition of a third tour - a "Lord of the Rungs'' guided six to eight-hour climb and helicopter descent.
"This new product will appeal to adventurous visitors as well as add a progression for those who have already completed the lower stages,'' Mr Morrison said.
Lake Wanaka Tourism general manager James Helmore yesterday said the via ferrata was a welcome addition to Wanaka's adventure tourism offering.
"It is this kind of innovation that will see continued growth for the region.''
The resort college will use its grant to expand its ambassador programme to 10 regions beyond Queenstown and Wanaka. The programme involves a short course to provide participants with increased knowledge and understanding of their region.
Mr Key said the grants were made to support innovative projects that would create new opportunities in tourism.
"We want to attract more visitors to New Zealand to continue to grow tourism and boost economies in our regions, and projects such as these will help us do that.''
