6 April 2021
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: trans-Tasman travel bubble
Enquiry
The Prime Minister will today be announcing the dates of the travel bubble with Australia and as it would be later in the day, we are just getting the comments ahead of the announcement so it's not a mad rush for you and us to have the comment in the paper tomorrow. So if you can write the comments as though we've had the announcement and we can touch base again if it's different than anticipated?
The Australian reported this morning that the bubble was expected to begin next Monday, April 12, or the following Monday, April 19, according to the newspaper's federal government and industry sources. However, this is not set in stone until Arden makes the announcement.
- How needed is this bubble with Australia?
- What will it do for the city?
- Is the city ready for it? Why/why not?
- What is the longest we can keep going without a bubble with Australia?
- Any other comments welcomed
Also - has the Government consulted you at all ahead of the announcement today?
The reporter also sought comment from RED [Rotorua Economic Development], asking the following questions:
- Has the Government consulted you at all ahead of the announcment today?
- How needed is this bubble with Australia for Rotorua?
- What will it do for the city's local economy and how? Do you have expected boosts in tourism numbers for the city once that happens?
- Is the city ready for it? Why/why not? What's been done to prepare?
- What is the longest we can keep going without a bubble with Australia?
- Any other comments welcomed
Response
Comment from Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick (provided prior to today's announcement on the importance to Rotorua of a trans-Tasman travel bubble):
Many of our local tourism operators and businesses have done what they can to make changes to cater to our new COVID world. However, Australia was our largest international market pre-COVID and a trans-Tasman travel bubble could be what saves some operators and jobs, and could potentially see some people re-hired, so today's announcement has been greatly anticipated.
There is still a lot of uncertainty and of course risk, which is why a cautious approach has been adopted, to ensure that everything is in place to mitigate that risk as much as possible. But we are ready to once again welcome Australian visitors - in a well managed way of course.
Comment from RED CE Andrew Wilson:
While the Government has not consulted us ahead of the announcement, we are confident the city and local tourism sector are ready for the announcement. The bubble with Australia will provide a much need boost for local operators and the Rotorua economy, pre-COVID expenditure by Australian visitors accounted for 20% of the $363 million spent annually in Rotorua by international visitors.
Predicting tourism numbers is challenging with a broad range of factors influencing the decision to travel. Initially we are anticipating the majority of Australian visitors will be making the trip to visit friends and family, with leisure visitors likely to follow.
The city is absolutely ready to welcome Australian visitors back. As evidenced over the Easter weekend, we have a amazing group of operators, accommodation and hospitality providers who are all ready and waiting to welcome back Australian visitors.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Media: Stuff
Topic: trans-Tasman travel bubble
Enquiry
Reporter sought to arrange phonecall with mayor after Government's 4pm trans-Tasman travel bubble announcement to get her reaction.
He was informed that as she had a commitment at 4pm and other commitments after that, a written comment might need to be provided if she were pressed for time between engagements. Reporter sent the following question in case written comment needed to be provided:
How important is it for Rotorua that we will be able to host Aussie tourists here again, quarantine free?
The reporter also contacted RED [Rotorua Economic Development] and asked the following questions:
How important will the return of Aussie tourists be to Rotorua?
Does [RED] have any idea of how many Aussie tourists we might see once quarantine free travel is open?
Does [RED] have any data from previous years about how big a market Australia is for Rotorua? Thinking number of visitors, money spent etc?
Response
The following written comment was provided:
From Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:
Many Rotorua tourism operators and businesses have done what they can to adapt to our new COVID world but Australia was our largest international market pre-COVID and the trans-Tasman travel bubble could be a lifeline for some. It could save businesses and jobs and could potentially see some people re-hired so we have been eagerly anticipating today's announcement which will be great news for many.
There is still some uncertainty and anxiety, which is to be expected and which is why both countries have taken a cautious approach, wanting to ensure everything is in place to ensure a travel bubble is well managed.
We now have a couple of weeks as a destination to ensure that we are well organised, geared up and ready to welcome Australian visitors.
RED CE Andrew Wilson provided the following comment:
The travel bubble with Australia is really important for Rotorua and will provide a much need boost for local operators and the Rotorua economy. Pre-COVID, Australia was our largest international market with expenditure by Australian visitors accounted for 20% of the $363 million spent annually in Rotorua by international visitors.
The city is absolutely ready to welcome Australian visitors back. As evidenced over the Easter weekend, we have an amazing group of operators, accommodation and hospitality providers who are all ready and waiting to deal with an increase in visitor numbers.
Predicting tourism numbers is challenging with a broad range of factors influencing the decision to travel. Initially we are anticipating the majority of Australian visitors will be making the trip to visit friends and family, with leisure visitors likely to follow.