New Zealand is losing ground internationally and is now at a "critical crossroads", National leader Christopher Luxon says.
Speaking to members of the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce and Skal International Queenstown at Winnie’s yesterday morning, Mr Luxon, accompanied by several senior members of the party, said the Government had not registered the ramifications of the tourism industry’s decimation.
Chamber chief executive Ruth Stokes said the resort had been the "poster child for brand New Zealand" pre-Covid-19.
The resort’s business owners were "incredibly passionate about maintaining the quality and integrity of this brand" and were well prepared, once borders opened, to be so again.
"But the reality is, the current situation — the lack of support, the lack of customers, the lack of clarity, certainty, everything — is killing us.
"It will kill New Zealand if we do not support our brand, and that means supporting Queenstown."
Mr Luxon, the former Air NZ chief executive, said tourism had been built to be the country’s number one industry, at one point overtaking dairy, employed up to 390,000 people directly and indirectly, and generated about 12% of GDP in foreign export earnings.
"I can tell you, I don’t think this Government cares deeply about tourism — I don’t think it did even before it got to power."
He said it was a critical industry for the country. However, global competition was fierce and New Zealand was losing, not only in respect of visitors.
Immigration spokeswoman Erica Stanford said the Government "has got their priorities around the wrong way".
"There will be no offshore visa processing of foreigners until August 2. Meanwhile, they have been talking about bringing in tourists well before then in their staged opening plan," she said.
Ultimately, that could see visitors arrive before businesses were staffed up enough to handle them.
"It doesn’t make any sense."
Ms Stanford pointed to Australia where, in recent days, the country had opened the door for holders of working holiday visas to apply now, and receive a rebate if they arrived soon.
National believed MIQ needed to be abandoned for any fully vaccinated returning New Zealander, replaced by a seven-day home-isolation model, with critical and essential workers to follow suit, and then Australians at large on a quarantine-free basis.
"We’re not being reckless here," Mr Luxon said.
"The risk is not sitting in MIQ — it’s actually out in our community."
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Comments
Tired of the usual drivel from the Opposition.
Unsustainable levels of tourists was never, is never and never will be, a viable economic strategy.
It is a low wage sector of the economy, and places enormous strain on our infrastructure - something National wants to invest LESS in.
It may be a different leader, but nothing has fundamentally changed. No new vision or plans for NZ. Just the same old same old.
I fully agree. Having lived in Queenstown I observed the tourist industry slowly destroying the environment, and the lifestyles of the inhabitants of the large and small towns. The small townships picnic areas etc stunk of tourist's faeces and rubbish. Paying minimum wages was likely cheaper than keeping slaves in Queenstown prior to covid. Thank you Covid for cleansing our environment.
I agree too. Leopards aint changing their spots and the carnage Grant Robertson has had to clean up from Key plus the Covid situation. The deal this govt scored with the UK is astounding and our Covid handling is the envy of the world. Why is everyone wanting to come back home?? Now if you blueys out there get a chance to talk to Luxon, ask him will he sell off Kiwirail? Will he put more traffic on our roads? Will he close schools? Will he privatise hospitals? Will he shaft the pension? Will he abolish apprenticeships (that Labour has reintroduced)? Will he abolish the minimum wage? We are NOT at a crossroads but rising against international pressures.