Agriculture minister’s ‘cocky’ tourism remark condemned as tone deaf

RNZ

The Secretary of Agriculture’s cocky tourism comments made last week on Central Districts Field Day have been condemned as deaf.

Agriculture Secretary Damien O’Connor is under fire for saying Covid-19 taught the tourism industry not to be so cocky after losing his spot as the top dairy exporter.

He made the comments on Central Districts Field Day late last week.

His constituents on the west coast of Tasman are Franz Josef and Fox Glacier – some of the hardest hit tourism-dependent communities in the country.

People in the electorate of the senior minister have described his remarks as deaf, shocking and kicking when dejected.

CONTINUE READING:
* * Damien O’Connor says Covid-19 taught the tourism industry “not to be so cocky”.
* * Cautious hope for tourism in the South Island with the Trans-Tasman Bubble on the horizon
* * Bubble a lifeline for tourism and hospitality in the South Island after the “hellish” 2020

Rob Jewell, co-chair of the Glacier Country Tourism Group, couldn’t believe the mood was coming from his MP.

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Rob Jewell, co-chair of the Glacier Country Tourism Group, says he couldn’t believe the sentiment came from his MP.

“Here’s a former tourism minister who obviously knows the industry very, very well. To make that kind of comment is just pretty shocking. He was also a former tourism operator himself a few years ago, and I would have thought he had a good understanding of that Branch. “

Prior to the pandemic, tourism was valued at around $ 42 billion and was the country’s largest export industry, accounting for 21 percent of foreign exchange revenues.

As a tourism company, Jewell said companies are proud of their industry and contribution to the country, but they aren’t cocky.

“In all honesty, everyone will definitely be hurt by these comments. They know exactly from their visit to the community how badly we are hurt, how many people we have lost from our community, how many more jobs and businesses are threatened along the way. The borders remain still closed. “

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Westland Mayor Bruce Smith says he is disappointed with Damien O’Connor’s remarks.

Damien O’Connor, the West Coast Tasman MP, would know, Jewell said.

He would like an apology.

Westland Mayor Bruce Smith is disappointed with the remarks.

“In hindsight, I’d probably hope he wouldn’t say that again,” said Smith.

“He’s a former tourism minister, and if you find yourself in an environment where people are losing their homes, losing their businesses, their cash flow has been depleted, giving them a little kick on their way around town is not the way to go offset.” Do it.”

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National Party’s tourism spokesman Todd McClay says the prime minister should step in and urge the West Coast Tasman MP to apologize for his comments.

National Party’s tourism spokesman Todd McClay said the prime minister should step in and ask West Coast Tasman MPs to apologize.

“His comments are deaf and unrelated to the devastation that is going on in tourism under his government’s oversight,” said McClay.

O’Connor did not respond directly to questions about his remarks or apologize, but instead released a statement saying he was concerned about hard-working tourism companies, including those on the west coast.

“As they live through their experience, many businesses, including the primary sector, will rethink how they plan for shocks of this magnitude as this pandemic tests our resilience.”