22 February 2022
Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Phased border re-opening impact on businesses
Enquiry
I'm writing a story for tomorrow's paper about how tourism operators are faring under the red setting and how they are feeling about the phased border re-opening.
I was wondering if the mayor would like to provide any comment about the situation and if she had any message for businesses who may be struggling?
There are businesses concerned there will be little impact on visitor numbers for the industry until there are no self-isolation requirements, and are worried a number of struggling businesses won't make it until that happens.
Response
From Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick:
We would like to see some targeted assistance for Rotorua, like what was provided through MBIE last year to South Island regions identified as being those most affected by the lack of international tourists. We contended then that the impact on Rotorua had been similar, if not worse, and we are advocating strongly again now for a Rotorua-specific package.
I believe there is a good case for additional assistance for our district, given the huge and ongoing impact of border closures on our local economy.
These are really tough times for many businesses, including our tourism, hospitality and related sectors with domestic tourism not enough to bridge the huge gap created by the absence of overseas visitors. That has hit many of our local businesses hard and we are all concerned about what the future holds and how quickly – and to what extent – those overseas visitor markets will recover and in turn, help our businesses to recover.
People are working extremely hard to do what they can to keep their businesses operating and hang on to staff and I’m pleased the Government has announced further financial assistance, which I’m sure will be welcomed and will provide some relief for businesses that qualify for this. I’m sure that assistance will need to be extended further again.