Queenstown’s tourism industry has changed recently due to the impact of Covid-19 and it’s no secret that businesses involved will need to adapt to make the most of the coming months.
The Government announced $400m in the Budget for Tourism of which $20.2m is a funding package to support key attractions through the Covid-19 crisis. This is one of a number of support initiatives introduced recently.
We’ve collated some information below which could support you along the way:
Tourism funding package
The government’s $20.2 million funding package will supply regional tourism organisations with funding to support key attractions through the Covid-19 crisis through the Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme. The programme will also consider assets that are culturally, environmentally and/or historically significant. Whale Watch Kaikoura is one such organisation that has been granted this funding so far.
If you think your business attracts visitors to the region, please make sure you apply for funding. Applications are open until June 18.
Apply here or contact us for assistance.
Advice and support
Check out this free business advice offer. Qualmark is operating an advisory service to support tourism businesses as they adapt to a domestic market.
Register for this support service
Create an advertising budget
If you want to get bang for your advertising buck it’s well worth taking time out to plan. Forecasting your return on advertising spend can inform decisions around the platforms to use, how much to spend on each and can become your plan to work from!
How to develop an advertising budget for tourism operators
Koha for Kiwi
Check out what other local tourism operators are doing to boost their business.
The iconic Shotover Jet have introduced super deals for domestic travellers and Nugget Point have gone all out with an attention grabbing $1 a night hotel stay. Kiwi Birdlife Park and many other national attractions are offering a ‘koha for kiwi’ promotions where visitors are asked to ‘pay what you like’.
Why not boost your business and generate advocates who could help share the love for years to come?
Destination Queenstown
Get on board with Destination Queenstown’s ‘dream, plan, book’ campaign. Launched 1st June the campaign aims to inspire kiwis to come to Queenstown. The campaign will include a video campaign followed by promotion of special offers and deals from destination Queenstown members.
Destination Queenstown memberships and information
Share content, tools and special offers
There has never been a more important time to come (virtually) together and share resources and ideas to help businesses not just survive but look forward to recovery. On this portal you will find the useful content, tools and special offers from Rezdy, partners and friends across the globe to help tour operators now and into the future.
Take care of yourself
Many New Zealand businesses are facing challenging times, as we look to the future it’s going to be vital to take care of ourselves and those around us. Check out this information complied by The Mental Health Foundation to help us through mentalhealth.org.nz.
The Xero Assistance Programme is another helpful resource for looking after your, and your employee’s health and well-being. Xero subscribers on a starter, standard or premium plan are able to access three counselling sessions per issue free of charge.
Not sure where to start? We’re here if you need us for cash flow, budgeting or just to chat through different business ideas.
