The New Zealand Inc China Strategy was today launched at a
function hosted by Prime Minister John Key at Auckland's
Cloud.
The strategy, one of many country strategies underway, is a
unified government approach to setting priorities and coordinating
operations related to New Zealand's key economic partners.
Led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Tourism New
Zealand along with other Government agencies including New Zealand
Trade and Enterprise, Immigration NZ and the Ministry of Economic
Development contributed to the strategy.
General Manager Asia Markets Mark Frood says Tourism New
Zealand's involvement in a strategy such as this is important to
ensure close collaboration with other agencies so tourism's
contribution to New Zealand's economic growth is maximised and
tourism remains one of the country's key export sectors.
"China is currently New Zealand's fourth biggest tourism market
however it is forecast that China will become our second largest by
2014," says Mr Frood.
At this morning's launch, Prime Minister John Key said that
trade with China is one of the success stories of the New Zealand
export sector over the past decade or so.
"China is also New Zealand's largest source of foreign students,
and our fourth biggest tourist market and we plan to develop these
areas further."
According to updated forecasts for the period 2011 to 2016
released by the Ministry of Economic Development the Chinese tourism market will overtake the
American and British markets in spending by mid-2012.
A New Zealand Inc India strategy has already been launched and
other country strategies are underway for key economic markets.
To see the Prime Minister's statement see here.