the gaps VS the gains (umbrellas incl.) for tourism in New Zealand 2024 -> 2025.

In a lot of ways, we missed a lot of opportunities last year.

But if all we do is focus on what's missing, we'll always be in a negative spin about tourism.

Whether it's visitor numbers, visitor spend, funding or whatever...

There's always some gap to look at.

But if we measure the gains (what's been done0 I think we can be pretty optimistic about 2025.

Only in 2024 we saw:

- significant projects: Pounamu Pathway opened, several new cycle trails delivering 100's kms of trail, multiple dark sky sanctuaries, new chairlifts finished etc etc.

- visitor numbers and spend on track for YOY increases (⌛ ah just waiting on final stats...)

- the visitor levy increase (and let's be hopeful for some pragmatic results of this in 2025!)

- umbrellas available at Fergburger to make sure nothing gets in the way of people standing in the queue (ok not sure if this started in 2024 but worthy of a mention).

Undoubtedly 2024 had its challengesnbut it was also full of progress.

Taking a sprinkle of optimism into 2025, I'm sure it's going to be another progressive year for tourism in New Zealand! Can't wait to be a part of it.