Monday, June 15, 2009

Maori culture protected by offshore revenue

Tourism is the means, culture is the purpose

Te Puia Chief Executive Te Taru White says while revenue generated by tourism is important, it’s purpose is to breathe life into the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute.

“We [Te Puia] are legislatively mandated to the perpetuation of Māori Culture, we have a responsibility and commerce is a means to this end” says Mr White.

Although commerce has taken a decline due to the world economic downfall, the annual Tourism Rendezvous New Zealand Expo has shed a bit of light on the 2010 – 2011, forecast. Mr White says there’s no point in being gloomy, “We’re optimistic because the tourism industry has its ups and downs, it will go up we just have to maintain and be there when it does.”

Whilst visitors from Canada, Asia and the United Kingdom have taken a decline in numbers, United States of America visitation is up by around 12 per cent, the Australian market is up almost 40 per cent and tourists from South East Asia are up 44 per cent.

Te Taru White says sustaining relationships with declining markets is about riding out the slump, “Te Puia is in this for the long haul.”

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