The Tourism Industry Association says a stand-alone regional tourism agency is needed for Auckland's new supercity, to capitalise on its potential as a visitor destination.
The association says its submission on the final piece of legislation setting up the supercity supports Tourism Auckland as an independent agency within the new council structure.
It says the current proposal has the agency as an entity inside a combined economic development and events unit.
The association's policy manager Simon Wallace says if it remains there, the city's tourism objectives could be diminished.
He says Tourism Auckland is already a well-established brand and has the right skills to develop visitor activity.
