Tourism Minister Louise Upston released the Tourism Policy Statement on Thursday, which set a long-term direction to guide decisions on policy, investment, infrastructure and marketing across the sector.
The government was aiming to double the 2023 export value of tourism within eight years.
Tourism Conservation Alliance (TCA) spokesman Mark Quickfall, of Queenstown, said while they support that goal, it could not be achieved ‘‘while the conservation concessions system remains broken’’.
The alliance was formed this year and comprises 22 tourism operators who collectively employ more than 1000 staff and host almost a million guests per season, generating over $250 million in regional economic benefits.
In a statement, Mr Quickfall said the alliance felt Ms Upston’s ambition was ‘‘positive for New Zealand ... but we cannot double tourism exports while businesses are waiting up to five years for a concession approval’’.
‘‘The Conservation Amendment Bill must be passed.
‘‘The system must be fixed.’’
The Bill is the first major overhaul of conservation laws in 40 years — Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said it removed red tape and modernised how public conservation land was managed.
It includes a new, overarching consideration which puts economic opportunities front and centre for the Department of Conservation when it is making decisions.
Mr Quickfall said New Zealand’s public conservation estate, such as mountains, fiords, glaciers and iconic tracks, were the foundation of the country’s visitor economy, but the current system was ‘‘failing’’ and the Conservation Act no longer reflected how operators could best deliver world-class experiences on the public estate.
Concession applications were mired in delays of up to five years and the planning framework was a ‘‘confusing web of overlapping documents’’, most so out of date the statutory reviews required to refresh them were not happening.
‘‘These issues block real investment, stall local businesses and erode the quality of experiences that New Zealand’s reputation and its current $46 billion tourism sector is built on.’’
The alliance believed the Conservation Amendment Bill and National Conservation Policy Statement offered a ‘‘once-in-a-generation’’ opportunity to look to the future and fix this.
‘‘Efficient, certain management of these spaces means everyone wins, everyday Kiwis who love the outdoors, international visitors who come here for a once in a lifetime experience, regional businesses and the environment itself,’’ Mr Quickfall said.
‘‘The Tourism Policy Statement sets an inspiring shared goal [and the] industry is ready to deliver.
‘‘Passing the Conservation Amendment Bill is how we achieve it together.’’
Submissions on the Conservation Amendment Bill close on Thursday .
