Tourism image hurt by attacks

A series of attacks on tourists could tarnish New Zealand's reputation as a safe destination, tourism bosses warn.

We take these attacks personally. They are embarrassing'', Tourism Dunedin general manager Hamish Saxton said.

"It is always disappointing, for us in the tourism industry especially, to hear about a visitor harmed. No-one wants a violent label put on their country.''

In January, Scottish backpacker Karen Aim was murdered in Taupo, and in recent weeks tourists had been assaulted in Westport and Christchurch.

Destination Queenstown chief executive David Kennedy said tourism was one of the country's largest industries and any attack on a tourist had the potential to hurt the economy.

"Any increase in violence on tourists could impact on our reputation overseas as a safe destination.''

New Zealand's reputation could "vanish overnight'' if a series of high profile crimes against tourists occurred in a short space of time, he said.

A tougher justice system and more police on the beat would help, not just for tourists, but across the board.

Although the recent attacks had occurred in other parts of New Zealand, Otago could not afford to be complacent, nor could the area be marketed as a safer destination.

"Violent attacks can happen anywhere. It would be dangerous to say to people that this is the least dangerous place,'' Mr Kennedy said.

Snr Sgt John Fookes, of Queenstown, said there appeared to be no targeting of tourists there.

"It is a party town with a huge number of bars opened a lot later than other towns of a similar size.

"But Queenstown is still a safe destination''.

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