Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme

The Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme (STAPP) is intended to protect the assets in the tourism landscape that form the core of our essential tourism offerings to ensure their survival through the disruption caused by COVID-19.

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The Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme (STAPP) has been allocated to support tourism businesses and Regional Tourism Organisation.

Decisions on funding allocations were made by the Tourism Recovery Ministers Group, supported by MBIE advice.

The Tourism Recovery Ministers Group has confirmed that all funding available under the STAPP process has been allocated. No new applications can be made or reconsiderations of original decisions undertaken. 

For enquires about STAPP, email [email protected].

There were 305 applicants for STAPP support. 160 applications were ineligible, and of the 145 eligible applications, 18 applicants were unsuccessful. Additionally, the Tourism Recovery Ministers Group had a mandate to decide on urgent investments which are outside the application round, and did so for AJ Hackett, Discover Waitomo, and Whale Watch Kaikōura.

Overall, 130 businesses are receiving support through the STAPP.

Businesses supported through STAPP have been offered funding via grants and loans. This includes a grant over two years, and additional funding via a loan. The terms and conditions of loans are designed to be concessionary, and are as follows:

Funding agreements have been signed by the business that have accepted the offer of a grant. Recipients are listed on the funding recipients page.

Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs)

RTOs play an important role in supporting the tourism system. The tourism sector depends on capable, secure and adequately resourced RTOs that lead and coordinate activities in their regions, alongside the tourism industry, stakeholders, Māori/iwi and communities.

As part of STAPP, up to $20.2 million in grants has been allocated to the 31 RTOs across New Zealand.

The investment plans that RTOs were required to develop have now been assessed and their funding confirmed.

Overall, the investment will support RTOs to implement destination management and planning, and encourage more people to explore their regions. The funding will also allow RTOs to support the broader tourism industry, stimulate regional demand, increase industry capability and progress the goals of the New Zealand-Aotearoa Government Tourism Strategy.