8. Question No. 8—TourismHon TODD McCLAY (National—Rotorua) to the Minister of TourismQuestion No. 8—Tourism8. Hon TODD McCLAY (National—Rotorua) to the Minister of Tourism: Does he know what proportion of tourism and hospitality businesses will be profitable under alert level 2 restrictions without additional Government financial support?Hon KELVIN DAVIS (Minister of Tourism): Many tourism and hospitality businesses will be able to operate under alert level 2. The Government's economic package which includes wage subsidies and tax provisions is ongoing during this time and I'll be announcing on Thursday additional support and assistance including a tourism recovery package on Budget day.Hon Todd McClay: What does he say to those businesses that told the Epidemic Response Committee today that a large number of tourism accommodation and hospitality businesses are likely to fail under level 2 restrictions even with further support?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: Under levels 3 and 4 there was absolutely no tourism and no movement around the country and under level 2 it's the beginning of the recovery. The businesses have all been able to make use of the business support package that the Government has offered them and as I said there is a tourism package being announced on Thursday.Hon Todd McClay: Is the event sector able to organise business meetings of up to 100 people under level 2 from Thursday if they meet the same social distance requirements as cinemas restaurants or political party caucuses?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: Events are an important part of the tourism sector and drive regional tourism. Officials continue to work with them on what level 2 means for them and we expect a plan for the event sector early next week.Hon Todd McClay: Why are Government agencies cancelling meetings and events for the end of this year as heard in the pandemic committee today rather than providing support and confidence to the hospitality event and travel sectors?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: As I said in the select committee today Government agencies are just like any other business. If they can operate in line with the guidelines well then they will do so.Hon Todd McClay: So is the Minister saying that Government agencies can't operate within the guidelines and that's the reason that they are cancelling events and meetings at the end of this year and not showing support or giving confidence to the hospitality travel or accommodation sectors?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: Government agencies are no different to anyone else. We need to obey the guidelines and follow the guidelines in order to make sure that we don't spread COVID-19. The last thing we need is a spike because people haven't followed the guidelines and then we end up reverting back up the levels which is no good for anyone—for the economy at all or any tourism business.Hon Todd McClay: So if Government agencies cannot organise meetings by following the restrictions and guidelines provided by his Government how can a single other tourism hospitality or accommodation business in New Zealand plan to do the same thing today if the Government can't follow their own advice?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: The member needs to get his ears cleaned because that's not what I said. What I did say was that the Government agencies must follow the same guidelines as everybody else.