Without Government support, tourism businesses may be operating on borrowed time.

The Tourism Export Council is asking the Government to inject $200 million into the industry.

It says without the support, many businesses including accommodation and tourism consulting services won't see out the year.

Tourism Export Council chief executive Lynda Keene told Mike Hosking these businesses help shape New Zealand's identity.

"It affects New Zealand's international reputation to the time to act is now and we need a plan."

Keene says things haven't gone to plan.

She says they'd thought by the end of last year, we'd have seen the return of international visitors but that's not the case.

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