Page 6 - Mark Quickfall News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

New Zealanders flocked to beaches and lakes this summer, but it wasn't enough to fill the gap left by international tourists in other regions.

The tourism industry is struggling to fill a 6 billion hole left by international tourists who are unable to visit New Zealand during the summer months

Photo: 123RF New Zealanders have been invaluable for keeping the industry afloat with the latest MBIE figures showing New Zealanders spent more than $351 million in October compared to last October - the biggest increase since coming out of lockdown. But that can't make up for the loss of international visitors which has left a multi-billion dollar economic hole. Up the road from Franz Josef Glacier on the West Coast, Okarito Kayaks, which takes its name from the lagoon it operates on and local town, had its busiest winter ever Co-owner Barry Hughes hoped that support would continue this summ...

Tourism operators voice concern about bureaucracy post-industry review Tess Brunton © RNZ / Dom Thomas Tourism operators are worried they will being bogged down by bureaucracy following a review of adventure activities near natural hazards. Today, the first findings from the review - triggered by the Whakaari eruption - were revealed. WorkSafe has come under increased scrutiny for not providing enough oversight of the sector. Adventure Consultants chief executive Guy Cotter did not want to see safety become more of a box ticking exercise that was more focused on punishing co...

Today, the first findings from the review - triggered by the Whakaari eruption - were revealed. WorkSafe has come under increased scrutiny for not providing enough oversight of the sector. Adventure Consultants chief executive Guy Cotter did not want to see safety become more of a box ticking exercise that was more focused on punishing companies than protecting people. He was worried about WorkSafe playing a larger regulating role. "Then we get more people who are not familiar with the area that they're auditing and the only way they can do that is by having more boxes to tick. That doesn't l...