TIA supports the development of Destination Management Plans (DMPs) for all tourism regions in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Well-grounded plans are key to shaping the nature and quality of regional tourism. The desired national outcome is for unique but collectively cohesive destination plans that: capture community wishes; identify, capitalise upon and protect a destination’s assets and characteristics; and allow for investment needs to be well signaled and planned for. 

With DMPs in place for all 30 regions, there has been an unprecedented level of consideration given to what our regions want from tourism and what is needed to get there. Now, the challenge is around how the DMPs will be implemented now that the available funding has been expended. Also, the Government goal to double exports by 2033, with tourism to play a major part in this, will require consideration of destination capacity and quality. 

TIA favours ongoing funding for the implementation of DMPs and supported this in submission on many councils’ Long-term Plans. 

More broadly, TIA considers that implementation of DMPs forms a major part of what would be supported by funding established by the sustainable funding workstream above.