Spend tourism money on innovation instead, Treasury told govt

Spend tourism money on innovation instead, Treasury told govt
July 18 (BusinessDesk) – The government’s $40 million a year tourism spending boost was a waste by comparison with adding those funds to the pot to encourage high value manufacturing and service industries, the Treasury advised before the May budget. The advice is contained in an aide memoire on April 5 to Treasury suggested to Finance Minister Bill English and Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce covering proposals to spend an extra $100 million on science and innovation grants, tourism promotion, and international education initiative...