Aoraki Mt Cook, Tekapo & Mackenzie

Reducing the reliance on just one or two large markets is a priority for Mackenzie’s operators, according to an industry survey.

The Beautiful Game FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign from Tourism New Zealand and Mackenzie Tourism has generated close to $20m in equivalent advertising value.

Hermitage Hotel has completed a $6m upgrade of its Aoraki wing overlooking Aoraki Mt Cook.

The Lake Ōhau Lodge and a concession for the Ōhau Snow Fields in Mackenzie Country are now up for sale.

A flurry of late accommodation bookings were made in the lead-up to Matariki as Kiwis took their time to consider options for the holiday, according to AIC.

A focus on Australia, UK and Europe, North America and domestic North Island markets is high on the wishlist for tourism operators, according to new research by Mackenzie Tourism.

Mackenzie Tourism wants to hear from senior leaders at industry operators about what its priorities should be.

The Mackenzie Regional Events Fund has now opened for applications.

Buyers at TRENZ have a new understanding of what is on offer across the Ashburton District.

The Canterbury Aoraki/Mount Cook Loop has been named the second-best hike in the world, according to Explore! Worldwide.

The first Matariki celebrations have begun with the launch of a new karakia booklet at the Dark Sky Sanctuary in Takapō.

Mackenzie Tourism and Tourism Industry Aotearoa are holding a tourism sustainability workshop for businesses in Timaru this month.

Of the 31 RTO regions, 15 are above 90% booked with last-minute bookings continuing to roll in for the long weekend.

The 1,585 square metre motel and land package comprises 25 units and includes a 33-bed backpackers wing and a two-bedroom first floor apartment, both of which are under long-term lease.

A new luxury villa will open at the Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat this Sunday.

South Island operators bask in the glow of good weather and a strong international rebound over the summer peak.

After nearly three years of discounting to attract the domestic market, many operators have raised their prices this summer to cope with increasing costs.

Mackenzie tourism stakeholders will meet this afternoon to discuss the district’s new visitor strategy.

ChristchurchNZ will no longer provide tourism marketing services content for Mackenzie District Council from 4 February 2023.

The operator’s new regional GM says it is seeing “pleasantly strong” bookings.

Aoraki/Mt Cook’s Hooker Valley Track her now reopened to the public following heavy rain that eroded the riverbanks around the bridge in late August.

The Hooker Valley Track in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park has been closed from its first swing bridge due to recent erosion.

The RTO’s GM will join the national tourism group in August.

Mackenzie Tourism has unveiled the website and programme for its Matariki festival taking place on 24 – 25 June.

SOUTH launches a new ski product designed to attract Australian visitors.

The attraction is looking to the skies for international visitors and ramping up recruitment for winter.

Lockdowns in China and questions around international tourism demand are prompting businesses in the Mackenzie to set pragmatic goals for the future.

Tourism businesses welcome the new border re-opening dates but it will take months for many to enjoy the benefits.

Applications for the second round of the Mackenzie Regional Events Fund will open on Friday 1 April.

Tourism businesses suffer a significant drop in visitation.

Ngāi Tahu Tourism is launching three new products in time for Monday’s start of the school holidays.

An initiative by Dark Sky Project to bring people in lockdown together for an online stargazing tour was so popular that the astro-tourism attraction is making it a monthly event.

New business support for tourism operators in five South Island regions can be accessed from this week, with specialist local agencies now appointed to deliver the scheme.

All regional tourism organisation areas around the country except for Mackenzie saw stronger domestic spending in June 2021 compared with the same month a year ago.

Smaller regional tourism organisations are leveraging their weight differently in the post-Covid world.

About $10m of the latest deployment is going to five regions hit hard by the lack of international tourists.

Mackenzie District Council is inviting public engagement from 6 July – 13 August on the creation of a 100-year vision for the region as a first step towards a destination management plan.

The ‘Hike 5 for Hillary’ next weekend will raise funds for The Himalayan Trust.

July ideal time to view Jupiter and Saturn in early evening from hot pool vantage point.

More recovery than regenerative, the plan introduces yet another initiative to reimagine tourism.

Boutique accommodation provider SkyScape has opened its first fully accessible luxury ‘mountain huts’ in the Mackenzie region.

But areas near urban centres saw strong growth in visitor numbers.

Two cyclists have raised $25,000 to support the family of a friend who died after being struck by a car.

YHA sells five hostels in what it says is a reflection of the distressed nature of the tourism industry.

A South Island high-country station which plays its part in the Mackenzie tourism landscape as the birthplace of the Hamilton Jet has been put up for sale.

The payouts included 19 business and commercial claims.

A lack of input into how a district was being marketed has prompted the creation of a new association.

Mackenzie Tourism is today hosting its first workshop in the Capability Building Programme for Mackenzie operators.

Takapō’s Dark Sky Project’s popular Mount John Summit Experience has reopened.

Both operators would each receive the maximum $500,000 through the programme.