No No 434 638
FIRST ON THE STREET
rd th Feb 2018 20 27thth Feb Jan - 326 Feb 2014
LAKES WEEKLY BULLETIN
1 J 2 IN O 4 SI BS D E
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In the midst of a bumper summer, where resources are strained, there’s been more talk of ways to pass the costs of Queenstown’s problems onto tourists. Last week, with Chinese New Year and hordes of summer tourists, Queenstown was brimming with life and bursting at the seams. Weeks like this are typically followed by some locals complaining about the influx of visitors ‘taking over’ the town and putting pressure on our resources and infrastructure. In some ways, the whinging is understandable – around 3.5 million people visited New Zealand last year and many of them visit the ‘jewel in the tourism crown’ that is Queenstown. Though the tourism industry pumps more than $10.1 billion into the national economy (more than any other sector), many still complain that this isn’t enough. Conversation turns to how we can reject tourists of lower value and charge visitors more though tourism and bed taxes. Tourists aren’t stupid and the internet talks loudly – if the cost of visiting Queenstown outstrips the perceived value, people will stop coming. In Southern France, an introduction of further tourist taxes on hikers in the Pyrenees has been met with a backlash after locals and holiday makers alike have said it’s turning local councils into companies, rather than an organisation which serves its community. We’re focussing too much on increasing revenue and getting someone else to pay to fix our problems. Leaky houses, poor infrastructure and bad environmental decisions were all made before the tourism boom happened. The influx of visitors has simply highlighted the problems of decades past. Instead, the influx should be seen as an opportunity; regions like Queenstown are making more money than ever before. Though government laps up some of this money, there’s plenty still in the region – you only need to look at regions like Northland to discover why the nation thinks Queenstown-ers are loaded with cash. Comparatively, we are. Queenstown is not poor. The key to future success isn’t demanding more and more dosh from visitors, it’s organising community and managing our environment better. Thankfully, Queenstown has a great community spirit and there are many examples of locals getting together to make a positive difference. From beach-clean ups organised by Sea Shepherd to loud and proud community dialogue over the management of Freedom Camping, it’s down to locals to really get sh*t done. The dollars will only stretch so far, it’s the community which holds Queenstown together. Bethany G. Rogers Geordie Off-Shore
Just a handful of the speakers at the Chamber and Crowe Horwarth hosted ‘Innovation Warrant of Fitness’ at the Hilton last Thursday. From left Richard Meares, DK, Amanda FooRyland, Michael Sly, MC, Ann Lockhart, Clark Pirie, Dr Kirsten Edgar and Blair Impey. (Photo: Jodi Walters)
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JOHN RAVENS WEATHER Last week John was 98% correct
RENTAL PROPERTIES
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TUES
WED
THUR
FRI
Fine Spells. Mostly Cloudy with Rain easing to a Morning Cloud few Showers Chance Shower a Few Showers then Fine
SAT
Fine. Little Wind
SUN
MON
Rain. A few early Clouds then Rain Not Much Wind