Tourism Industry Aotearoa: wage subsidy remains available while any part of New Zealand is in COVID-19 Alert Level 3 or 4

Wellington, New Zealand, 2021-Sep-09 — /Travel PR News/ — Tourism operators and their staff around the country will be relieved by today’s  (7 September 2021) confirmation that the wage subsidy remains available to them, according to Tourism Industry Aotearoa.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said this morning that the wage subsidy is still available nationwide, while any part of New Zealand is in COVID-19 Alert Level 3 or 4.

While Auckland remains at Level 4, domestic travel and visitor activity suffers in every region, TIA Chief Executive Chris Roberts says.

“Aucklanders are the biggest source of domestic visitors and while Auckland remains at a higher alert level, it severely limits how much tourism activity is seen around the rest of the country,” Mr Roberts says.

The additional requirements under Level 2 are sensible given what is known about the Delta variant but it will be difficult for many event, hospitality and tourism businesses to operate under the new conditions.

So the wage subsidy will continue to be a lifeline for businesses wanting to keep their staff employed.

“The measures taken to date appear to be containing the outbreak but all tourism businesses are looking forward to getting back to Level 1,” Mr Roberts says.

TIA continues to encourage everyone to get vaccinated.

“The higher the vaccination rate, the greater likelihood that we can get on top of this virus and enjoy the freedom to travel again.”

KEY FACTS:

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Tourism in New Zealand was a $114.8 million per day industry. Tourism delivered
more than $48 million in foreign exchange to the New Zealand economy each day
of the year. Domestic tourism contributed another $66.7 million in economic
activity every day.
• Tourism was New Zealand’s biggest export earner, contributing $17.5 billion or
20.1% of New Zealand’s foreign exchange earnings (year ended March 2020).
• 13.6% of the total number of people employed in New Zealand worked directly or
indirectly in tourism. That means 384,186 people were working in the visitor
economy.
• The Tourism 2025 & Beyond sustainable growth framework/Kaupapa Whakapakari
Tāpoi has a vision of growing a sustainable tourism industry that benefits New
Zealanders.

Visit www.tia.org.nz for more information

TOURISM INDUSTRY AOTEAROA:

Inspire House, 125 Featherston St, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
P +64 4 499 0104 www.tia.org.nz E info@tia.org.nz

For more information, please contact:

Ann-Marie Johnson
Communications Manager
0276 004 565
ann-marie.johnson@tia.org.nz

Source: Tourism Industry Aotearoa

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