In our Predictions for 2009 post we predicted "a nil or at best a token increase in the tourism budget."
We are pleased that we were correct with Bill English leaving out a boost tourism spending in last week's Budget.
Predictable howling ensued from the usual suspects demanding more of others people's money. This was led by the Tourism Industry Association that stated that "the government needs to take the lead in promoting New Zealand tourism overseas."
There is an opportunity for the accomodation and tourism industry to increase efficiencies and start to move away from its dependance on public money. Maybe the lead in promoting New Zealand should come from within the industry itself?
