Whale Watch secures $1.5m from assets protection programme

10th June 2020 By Staff Reporter | news@tourismticker.com | @tourismticker

Whale Watch Kaikōura has secured $1.5m from the Government’s Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme.

The operator is the latest tourism business to receive support from the programme, which is part of the $400m Tourism Sector Recovery Plan.

Prime minister Jacinda Ardern and tourism minister Kelvin Davis made the announcement at Kaikōura on Wednesday.

“Whale Watch Kaikōura is one of New Zealand’s best-known, iconic tourism businesses, providing millions of people up-close whale encounters for more than 30 years – supporting hundreds of jobs and other sectors,” Davis said.

“By safeguarding this key destination tourism asset, we are also providing vital support to the Kaikōura community itself. Whale Watch is a major drawcard for the area, with their visitors supporting the local economy through accommodation, hospitality, retail and other activities.”

The money follows the $4m announced for Tourism Holdings’ Discover Waitomo last week, half of which is a loan.

“When forming our recovery package, we carefully considered input from the industry. There were strong calls for tailored support for key attractions, services, businesses and facilities,” Davis said.

“While our borders remain closed as our first line of defence against Covid-19, there are strategic tourism assets across the country we can’t afford to lose. We will continue to work with tourism operators to protect those assets that are vital to our sector’s recovery and our economic rebuild.”

The Government is also providing $20.2m for the country’s 31 regional tourism organisations from the Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme.