Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs)

RTOs play an important role in supporting the tourism system. The tourism sector depends on capable, secure and adequately resourced RTOs that lead and coordinate activities in their regions, alongside the tourism industry, stakeholders, Māori/iwi and communities.

As part of Tourism Communities: Support, Recovery and Re-Set Plan, up to $26.6 million in grants was allocated to the 31 RTOs across New Zealand.

This funding is in addition to the $20.2 million in grants allocated to RTOs through the Strategic Tourism Asset Protection Programme in 2020/21.

Overall, the investment will support RTOs to implement destination management and planning, and encourage more people to explore their regions. The funding will also allow RTOs to support the broader tourism industry, stimulate regional demand, increase industry capability and progress the goals of the New Zealand-Aotearoa Government Tourism Strategy. 

Regional Tourism New Zealand (RTNZ) will also receive $200,000 to provide support and help build capability within RTOs across New Zealand

The following RTOs and RTNZ have received funding through the Tourism Communities: Support, Recovery and Re-Set Plan:

Regional Tourism Organisations

Approved

Northland Inc. Ltd

$700,000

Auckland Unlimited Ltd

$1,500,000

Destination Coromandel Trust

$700,000

Hamilton & Waikato Tourism

$1,000,000

Trust Tairawhiti Ltd

$400,000

Western Bay of Plenty Tourism and Visitors Trust (Tāpoi Te Moananui ā Toi | Tourism Bay of Plenty)

$1,000,000

Hawke's Bay Tourism

$1,000,000

Visit Ruapehu

$700,000

Destination Lake Taupo Trust (Destination Great Lake Taupo)

$1,000,000

Rotorua Economic Development Limited (Destination Rotorua)

$1,500,000

Venture Taranaki Trust

$1,000,000

Whanganui and Partners Ltd

$700,000

Central Economic Development Agency Ltd

$1,000,000

Destination Wairarapa

$400,000

Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency Ltd (WellingtonNZ)

$1,500,000

Nelson Regional Development Agency

$1,000,000

Destination Marlborough

$700,000

Development West Coast

$400,000

Kaikōura Information and Tourism Incorporated (Destination Kaikōura)

$400,000

Hurunui Tourism

$400,000

ChristchurchNZ Ltd

$1,500,000

ChristchurchNZ Ltd (on behalf of Mackenzie District Council)

$400,000

Venture Timaru Ltd

$700,000

Tourism Waitaki Ltd

$400,000

Dunedin City Council (Enterprise Dunedin)

$1,000,000

Lake Wanaka Tourism Inc

$1,000,000

Central Otago District Council (Tourism Central Otago)

$1,000,000

Destination Queenstown Incorporated

$1,500,000

Southland Regional Development Agency (Visit Fiordland)

$700,000

Clutha Development Incorporated (Clutha Development)

$400,000

Southland Regional Development Agency Ltd (Great South)

$1,000,000

Regional Tourism New Zealand

$200,000

Total

$26,800,000

Last updated: 17 August 2021