Call for $ 278m boost to keep the Queenstown appealing to tourists

A $ 278 million government is needed to maintain Queenstown as New Zealand's tourist mecca, a new report shows.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council-commissioned business case, delivered to the Government ahead of this year's budget, calls for Central

It found that while growing tourism is gaining popularity in the United States, it is likely to increase its competitiveness, constrain future growth, and

There are 34 international visitors to each of the Queenstown residents.

The report says the council has taken steps to mitigate the issue, but can not fund the level of investment without compromising other services.

"At peak times, 58,580 people are using Queenstown's infrastructure, of which only 21,288 are resi teeth. "

After the weighing up of three options, it is a question of $ 278 million over five years.

" The sustained scenario would maintain Queenstown's visitor experience and underpin further growth in international visitors, and the international tourists who benefit from it. "

Much of the Crown money would be spent on

Mayor Jim Boult has had a strong advocate for a bed tax, but has faced the opposition of some of the resort's facilities providers,

The report also highlights the benefits of Queenstown as

Visitors who come to New Zealand because of Queenstown spend a total of $ 1.44- $ 1.74 trillion per year nationally, it found.

But if Queenstown can not maintain its visitor experience, some of (19659002) Finance Minister Grant Robertson, visiting the resort on Tuesday, told the Chamber of Commerce he was open to the conversation with Queenstown next 10 years.

First, but, he wants to know "what it's for and says it needs an infrastructure plan."

Three weeks ago Queenstown's council adopted its most ambitious long-term plan, which inc ludes the $ 327 million town center masterplan.

It outlines $ 990m of work to be done between now and 2028, when that work will be done and the council is planning on funding

– Mountain Scene