From the Regions

Auckland lockdowns, cancelled events, and changing alert levels proved a headache for the region’s tourism.

With the opening of the trans-Tasman bubble days away, the Ticker refocuses on the regions and how RTOs and operators are faring and preparing. First up, Taupō.

Destination Wairarapa GM Anna Nielson says community sentiment towards tourism was positive, with strong bookings in place for the summer season.

We need to keep as many operators as possible alive, says Lake Wānaka Tourism’s acting GM.

Reefton Distillery Co expansion could see visitor tours grow to four a day, following a $928,000 loan from the Government.

Whanganui & Partners is encouraging businesses affected by Covid-19 to take advantage of the business support available.

The Government will invest up to $20m to redevelop Golden Bay’s Port Tarakohe.

While the decision was disappointing for the region, Adcock says other Government funding will help the district’s tourism.

Struggling operators are remaining open for the benefit of the wider Fiordland business community, despite it not making economic sense to do so, says Destination Fiordland manager Madeleine Peacock.

The RTO chief executive on the region’s resilience, reacting to disaster and moving forward.

“The tourist hot-spot has been hard hit by the implications of Covid-19, but having a financial boost like this will mean the whole community can soon be even prouder of this great asset.”

The Covid-19 crisis may not have as severe an impact on the Bay of Plenty as other parts of New Zealand, says the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

The funding means work can start immediately on a $4.5m development project.

Ashley Cassin, 28, business manager of Ngai Tahu Tourism’s Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools and Glacier Base and chair of Glacier Country Tourism Group, on the benefits to young professionals of transitioning to the regions.

Great South’s tourism and events manager, Bobbi Brown, on the region’s move to become New Zealand’s agri-tourism capital, the development of the Southland Tourism Investment Prospectus and turning authentic hospitality into commercial benefits.

The sales and marketing manager on HT becoming the country’s newest RTO and the opportunities that status brings the region.

DGLT’s new GM on connectivity challenges, improving infrastructure, and competing for visitors.

The GM on achieving tourism growth and developing a new zero-emissions thermal pools and spa experience at Methven.

Tourism Waitaki general manager Margaret Munro on the opportunities for the region as plans for a UNESCO Geopark develop.

The tourism GM on the sector’s employment opportunities and addressing development and infrastructure in the region.

Gray reflects on the two years since the November 14 earthquake that sealed-off his tourism-dependent town.

QLDC’s mayor rejects calls for tourist growth at the resort to be curtailed.

Destination Rotorua’s chief executive, Michelle Templer, on the crucial shift from destination marketing to destination management, the challenges in driving value over volume, and unlocking further investment into the tourism sector.

Chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Tourism Industry Association, Neil Barber, argues that plans by the regional council to slash Hawke’s Bay Tourism’s funding by 50% will hurt businesses and the region.

General manager of Lake Wanaka Tourism, James Helmore, on how the town’s tourism strategy has evolved, the requirement for better data and balancing the needs of the local community with a booming visitor economy.

The chairman of Tourism West Coast and local operator, Richard Benton, on a booming summer, why we should start charging overseas visitors for access to select natural attractions, and the challenge of attracting skilled staff to remote regions.    

The Nelson Regional Development Agency’s chief executive, Mark Rawson, on managing record growth, driving seasonality, successfully tackling freedom camping, and integrating tourism into local planning. 

Jon Spraggon, chair of the Stewart Island/Rakiura Community Board, talks about the island’s long hot summer, a review of the visitor levy fund and a new offer for winter.

In a summer of heatwaves and downpours, the Coromandel was the first to feel the downside when a storm swept through the region in early January. Destination Coromandel’s Hadley Dryden tells us about the challenges, and an opportunity, that followed.

One year on from last year’s 7.8-magnitude earthquake, Destination Kaikoura’s general manager, Glenn Ormsby, says it has been a difficult recovery and, despite hopes among operators for a good summer, challenges remain. 

Tourism development consultant Dave Bamford on the Tongariro Crossing’s new management plan and why we shouldn’t be afraid to apply service and facility fees at our most popular national park sites.

Destination Fiordland’s former tourism manager, Philippa Murrell, on the challenges the region faces, the need for social license, and transforming Te Anau into a destination in its own right.   

HWR director Scott O’Donnell on its latest attraction, Dig This, the company’s plans for a new $100m town centre and the implications for the region’s tourism offering.

Tourism West Coast’s CEO Jim Little tells us about building on the region’s successful brand, how the RTO is developing wilderness attractions, and why it is seeking a big boost to its budget.

The outgoing chief executive of Visit Ruapehu, Claire McKnight, on transforming the region into a year-round destination, managing growth, and identifying the opportunities ahead for the unique area.

Mackenzie Mayor Graham Smith on the challenges of building tourism infrastructure, why the regions need a reliable source of income to fund it, and the changes planned for the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd. 

The outgoing general manager of Tourism Waitaki, Jason Gaskill, tells the Ticker how his region’s unique tourism offering has evolved, the growth of its Steampunk and Victorian attractions, and the challenges ahead for the emerging tourism destination.

Hamilton & Waikato Tourism CEO Jason Dawson on the challenges and opportunities of managing growth, the need for more investment and accommodation options, and Hamilton’s 50-year plan to turn itself towards the Waikato River.

Venture Southland’s Tourism and Events Manager Warrick Low on the challenge of ensuring his region benefits from the tourism boom, the value of industry partnerships, the investment flowing into the sector and the South’s point of difference.

Northland Inc’s General Manager of Regional Promotions & Tourism, Paul Davis, tells us about investment into tourism in his region, the need for more high-end accommodation, and why Whangarei’s Hundertwasser Art Centre will be a game changer.

Waitomo District Council Mayor Brian Hanna on coping with booming tourism, the success of products like the Timber Trail Lodge and Sir Colin Meads attraction, and plans to build a much-needed new hotel. 

The Ticker hears from Henrietta Hazlett, the industry partnerships manager at New Zealand’s newest Regional Tourism Organisation, Aoraki Tourism, on the challenges and opportunities in the Timaru District.

The Wairarapa has grown from being another region with vineyards to a multifaceted destination on the doorstep of the nation’s capital. Destination Wairarapa’s general manager, David Hancock, looks at what’s next for the region.

Destination Marlborough’s new general manager, Jacqui Lloyd, on her return home to New Zealand, coping with the aftermath of the Kaikoura earthquake, targeting the domestic market, and helping the region’s smaller operator.

Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan on aiming for a bigger slice of the booming tourism industry, coping wth the burdens of growth, and why smaller regions have struggled to get infrastructure funding.

Whanganui & Partners’ tourism lead Lyn Cheyne on why the region deserves better recognition, the dearth of domestic insight and the impact that the Whanganui River’s new legal status could have on tourism.

Hawke’s Bay Tourism’s general manager, Annie Dundas, on the need for long-term tourism planning in New Zealand, preparing for the launch of space tourism, and her region’s latest “ski season” winter campaign.

In the first of our weekly series From the Regions, Kristin Dunne, chief executive of Tourism BOP, tells us about the challenges of coping with 36% growth, unlocking the region’s natural attractions and the RTO’s new 10-year draft strategic plan.