Today's Tourism News

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18 May 2012

TIA in the news
Australians increasing departure tax – Radio Live, 17 May
(audio link, click on Thursday 17 May at 4.45pm: item starts at 11’35”) TIA Policy & Research Manager Simon Wallace discusses the Australian departure tax increase.

Australia's passenger movement charge increased - On Demand ... – Newstalk ZB 17 May 2012
(audio link) Australia Tourism and Transport Forum chief executive John Lee talks to Mike Hosking about the 'passenger movement charge' being increased ...

Tourism bosses decry increase in Australian flight tax – Radio NZ Checkpoint, 17 May 2012
(audio link) The Prime Minister, John Key, is promising to help fight an eight dollar increase in Australian departure tax on behalf of tourism operators. (3′36″)

Departure tax hike 'slap in face' - Otago Daily Times - 18th May 2012
The Australian Government's decision to increase its passenger departure tax by 17% to $NZ71 is a "slap in the face" for both countries' tourism industries, Tourism Industry Association New...

Aussie departure tax hike sparks fears for Aussie tourism – Mountain Scene, 17 May 2012
A hike in Australia’s airport passenger departure tax has been slammed as a slap in the face for trans-Tasman tourism.

Aussie departure tax hike a ‘cash grab’ – TV3, 17 May 2012
The Australian government's move to hike its departure tax has been labelled a cash grab by tourism industry bodies on both sides of the Tasman.

Tourism sector decries increase in Australian flight tax – Radio NZ, 17 May 2012
Tourism bosses in Australia and New Zealand are upset the Australian Government is raising its traveller departure tax by 17%.

Tourism groups vow to fight 17pc hike in Aussie departure tax – NZ Herald, 17 May 2012
Australia's tourism lobby groups are getting in behind a challenge to that nation's 17 per cent hike in departure tax, which may squeeze New Zealand's biggest source of visitors.

Tourism industries slam departure tax hike – ABC News, 18 May 2012
New Zealand's prime minister John Key will meet Julia Gillard over the planned rise in Australia's departure tax.

Travel chiefs declare war on airline tax – NZ Herald, 18 May 2012
New Zealand and Australian travel chiefs are stepping up their campaign against new passenger taxes which they say could be the tipping point for a 10 per cent plunge in transtasman tourism.

Tax rise bumps up cost of Australian holidays – Dominion Post, 18 May 2012
A Kiwi family of four will soon pay almost $550 in taxes and fees for the pleasure of flying to Australia and back.

Australia increases travel taxes for Kiwis – TVNZ, 17 May 2012
There are concerns an increase to travel taxes imposed by Australia will affect trans-Tasman travel.

TIA members in the news
Holiday park slams toilet pan charges - Bay of Plenty Times - 17th May 2012
A holiday park paying toilet pan taxes of nearly $13,000 a year says it is being unfairly treated by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

Casson takes up challenge to develop home region - Southland Times - 17th May 2012
Reporter Neil Ratley speaks with Venture Southland's new chief executive a southerner who has returned home and is keen to get on his bike. Paul Casson is a fan.

Airlines & airports
Upgrade to help pilots - Southland Times - 17th May 2012
Air navigation service provider Airways New Zealand yesterday unveiled "world-leading" changes at Queenstown Airport, including blanket use of technology designed to guide pilots who take...

Editorial: Better than nothing - Southland Times - 18th May 2012
OPINION: Granted, there's a not-inconsiderable difference between a fully functional international airport and a pit stop.

Around NZ
Wairoa crossing next for trail - Nelson Mail - 17th May 2012
Work has begun on a suspension bridge over the Wairoa River that will connect the cycle trail between Richmond and Brightwater.

Links to city sealed hotel development - Otago Daily Times - 18th May 2012
Strong links to Dunedin and the University of Otago appear to have sealed the deal for Chinese developers to decide to invest $100 million into a new 28-storey hotel on the city's waterfront.

Help sought for insurance cost - Manawatu Standard - 17th May 2012
A more than twofold increase in building insurance costs is threatening Te Manawa's ability to make the most of its revamped facilities. Fresh from its $5.

Chch earthquake recovery
'Not enough done' - Christchurch Press - 18th May 2012
Dissatisfaction with the Government's handling of the Christchurch earthquake appears to be growing, with a survey of more than 2000 Fairfax newspaper readers across the country showing...

Move to halt Cathedral demolition - Otago Daily Times - 17th May 2012
Christchurch City councillors have voted in favour of pausing deconstruction work on the city's cathedral.

Govt appoints Auckland man for Chch rebuild - 3 News - 17th May 2012
The Government has recruited a prominent Auckland man to head the unit tasked with rebuilding Canterbury’s underground and roading infrastructure.

Chch council votes to halt cathedral demo - 3 News - 17th May 2012
Christchurch City Council is supporting calls to immediately halt the demolition of the Christchurch cathedral.

Council calls for halt - Christchurch Press - 17th May 2012
LATEST: The Christchurch City Council has asked for an "immediate pause" in the demolition ofChrist Church Cathedral in a move hailed by campaigners.

Mark Ford named rebuild chief - Christchurch Press - 17th May 2012
The Government expects to spend more than $2 billion on repairing Christchurch's battered infrastructure over the next year, it hasrevealed in a pre-Budget announcement.

Chch rebuild from a distance - Timaru Herald - 18th May 2012
The top bureaucrat head-hunted to oversee Christchurch's infrastructure rebuild will work from Auckland.

Halt on demolition angers minister - New Zealand Herald - 18th May 2012
Council needs to focus on housing damaged in quake, says Brownlee. Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has told the Christchurch City Council to "get its own house in order" as it...

Vote to delay demolition 'insulting' - Timaru Herald - 18th May 2012
A Christchurch City Council plea to halt the demolition of Christ Church Cathedral is "deeply insulting", says Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee.

Quake rebuild money man announced - New Zealand Herald - 17th May 2012
The man who led the reorganisation of local government in Auckland has been appointed to a key role in the rebuild of earthquake-hit Christchurch.

Brownlee tells council 'to shape up' - Otago Daily Times - 18th May 2012
Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has told the Christchurch City Council to "get its own house in order" as it seeks a halt to demolition of Christchurch Cathedral.

Conservation & environment
Residents sound warning on fish farm plan - Marlborough Express - 17th May 2012
Further aquaculture development in the Marlborough Sounds should be approached with caution because of its unknown "carrying capacity", says Sustain Our Sounds chairman and long-time French...

Crime
Addicts wished good luck - Christchurch Press - 18th May 2012
A High Court judge has wished three offenders good luck in fighting their addictions as they begin sentences for manufacturing methamphetamine in a Christchurch hotel room last July.

Education
Marketing material focus of review - Nelson Mail - 17th May 2012
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority will review the marketing material provided to international nursing students studying English language courses at the Nelson Marlborough Institute...

Local govt
Zoo and cable car face council review - Dominion Post - 18th May 2012
Growing concern about lack of control over ratepayer money has prompted a review of Wellington's council-controlled organisationsincluding the zoo, cable car and Wellington Waterfront.

Reforms to 'refocus' councils - Timaru Herald - 18th May 2012
Local Government Minister David Carter says upcoming reforms will encourage councils to tighten their belts, but it is up to each one how it does so.

Submitters oppose 'bed tax' - Otago Daily Times - 18th May 2012
Accommodation providers fear a proposed "bed tax" could add to Queenstown's reputation as an expensive destination, submissions to the Queenstown Lakes District Council's 10-year-plan warned...

Pacific attractions considered for Porirua - Dominion Post - 17th May 2012
A plan for a $100,000-plus Pacific Island tourist village has been mooted for Porirua. Porirua man Ueli Sasagi, a resource management planner, has proposed the ''Pacific on Show'' village to...

Visitor tax draws criticism - Otago Daily Times - 18th May 2012
Following its hearing in Wanaka earlier this week, the Queenstown Lakes District Council heard yesterday from a range of Queenstown submitters to the 10-year plan.

TIA members’ media releases
Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track Nominated For Green Ribbon Award – Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track, 18 May 2012
The Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track has been nominated as a finalist in the Small Business Leadership category for the 2012 Green Ribbon Awards.