11. Question No. 11—TourismHon TODD McCLAY (National—Rotorua) to the Minister of TourismQuestion No. 11—Tourism11. Hon TODD McCLAY (National—Rotorua) to the Minister of Tourism: How many jobs have been lost in the tourism sector since the announcement of the wage subsidy scheme?Hon KELVIN DAVIS (Minister of Tourism): Unemployment statistics released yesterday show employment in the accommodation and food services sector which includes the tourism sector went down by more than they would in a typical quarter. There is no doubt the tourism sector has incurred job losses due to the impact of COVID-19. Tourism New Zealand surveyed 10500 tourism operators about the impact of COVID-19 on their business at the end of April. Results showed a large number accessing Government support measures with 87 percent having accessed wage support. A high percentage of businesses say they will return to work as demand returns and I've no doubt that the economic package including the wage subsidies has helped to save jobs in the industry which may have been lost without our help. Hon Todd McClay: Is he aware of a tourism industry association survey this week showing two-thirds of all tourism businesses are reducing staff and reports of up to 200000 people to be laid off in the tourism sector? Hon KELVIN DAVIS: I am aware and I've been informed that the industry is saying that the level 2 travel decision will save thousands of jobs and hundreds of businesses. Hon Todd McClay: Is he aware that Ngāi Tahu's Skyline Enterprises the Heritage Hotel and others have this week laid off more than a thousand workers in the tourism sector in Rotorua Queenstown and other destinations who would have otherwise kept their jobs if the announcement had been earlier or the wage subsidy for the tourism sector had been extended? Hon KELVIN DAVIS: I am very aware of the situation of those businesses. They've made decisions based on what they think is right for their business and I'm looking forward to working with them as part of the tourism recovery and the rebuild. Hon Todd McClay: What does the Minister say to those thousand workers who this week found out they lost their job when he said earlier he was doing a web seminar to try and save jobs and that actually—SPEAKER: Order! Order! Order! The member's already had two. Hon Todd McClay: Two? SPEAKER: Two legs to his question. I'll let the member start again. Hon Todd McClay: Thank you Mr Speaker. What does the Minister say to those thousand workers who lost their jobs this week who would have otherwise kept them had the Government extended the wage scheme for the tourism sector or announced that there would be tourism travel under level 2 earlier this week? Hon KELVIN DAVIS: I reject the premise of the question. But like I said I'm also looking forward to working with those businesses as they start the rebuild and the recovery of the tourism industry because the tourism industry does have a future. It's going to take some time for us to complete that rebuild and that recovery but things are going to look up from here on in. Hon Todd McClay: What does he say to the tourism industry association head Chris Roberts who said that no other industry has been affected by COVID-19 as seriously and the current universal support programmes are not sufficient for the tourism sector or those thousand workers that lost their job this week that he's just told have a brighter future? Hon KELVIN DAVIS: I say to Chris Roberts thank you very much for the feedback today. It was him that actually said the level 2 travel decision will save thousands of jobs and hundreds of businesses. Hon Chris Hipkins: Would the Minister encourage New Zealanders who typically spend billions of dollars a year on international travel to instead travel locally at home and support local businesses? Hon KELVIN DAVIS: That's right—I've given Tourism New Zealand the mandate to begin work on a domestic tourism marketing campaign to ensure that when New Zealand is safe and when our alert levels are lower we'll be able to kick-start the industry. Rt Hon Winston Peters: Could I ask the Minister therefore is it a very wise idea that New Zealanders who want to be tourists should support New Zealand First? SPEAKER: I don't think the member missed a valid question.