Veronika Vermeulen, owner of Aroha New Zealand Tours
“The country’s $40 billion tourism industry is grateful for the Government’s support. We appreciate its renewed focus on tourism’s recovery and its desire to transition to a more sustainable footing. However, many of the smaller, family-owned businesses now urgently need operational support if they are to actually survive into 2022 and beyond,” says Veronika Vermeulen, owner of Aroha New Zealand Tours.
Small businesses are the backbone of New Zealand and, she says, the same applies to tourism. Hundreds of guides, for example, connect overseas visitors with New Zealand’s culture and landscapes as key ambassadors. Many, however, have been forced into other work with no clear pathway back to tourism meaning a big loss of experience and knowledge.
Press Release – Aroha NZ Tours
If a more authentic New Zealand experience and sustainable tourism model is to be realised, Budget 2021 needs to ensure small to medium sized tourism operators will still be around when the borders reopen, says a leading Kiwi tourism entrepreneur.
If a more authentic New Zealand experience and sustainable tourism model is to be realised, Budget 2021 needs to ensure small to medium sized tourism operators will still be around when the borders reopen, says a leading Kiwi tourism entrepreneur.
Veronika Vermeulen, owner of Aroha New Zealand Tours
“The country’s $40 billion tourism industry is grateful for the Government’s support. We appreciate its renewed focus on tourism’s recovery and its desire to transition to a more sustainable footing. However, many of the smaller, family-owned businesses now urgently need operational support if they are to actually survive into 2022 and beyond,” says Veronika Vermeulen, owner of Aroha New Zealand Tou