The tourism industry is welcoming the news that as many as seven cycleway projects could be expected to get underway this summer,Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) Chief Executive Tim Cossar says.

In a speech to Local Government New Zealand this morning,Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key said the Government has allocatedthe first $9 million of its $50 million cycleway fund, confirming that work onseven projects is expected be underway by November.

URGENT - please contribute to a stocktake of of all regionally significant recreational / tourism cycle routes (off and on road) throughout the country. Submit your routes before 23 March 09 (Monday).

To support the background work / feasibility study being undertaken by the Ministry of Tourism for the National Cycleway, the working party of key stakeholders urgently need to undertake a stocktake of all regionally significant recreational / tourism cycle routes (off and on road) throughout the country.

At Jobs Summit the Government proposes a $50 million cycleway the length of NZ.

Nine-day fortnight, cycleway main job ideas

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4862152a13.html

"Another idea on the table is a $50 million cycleway built the length of the country.   It would provide 3700 jobs and would take two years to build.  The government is keen on it for its tourist potential."

"High level sources say Prime Minister John Key is particularly enthusiastic about the cycleway, saying it will create jobs and boost tourism."