Nelson-Tasman Tourism Roadshow
NTT’s chief executive Lynda Keene, second from left, with her team including Jessie McAlinden, Golden Bay i-SITE supervisor, at this week’s presentation. Photo: Neil Wilson.
Nelson Tasman Tourism’s new-look team recently presented a roadshow designed to connect with the Bay’s numerous tourist operators, but only about 15 turned up.
NTT’s chief executive Lynda Keene introduced her team, who then described their specific roles. Ms Keene also explained the roadshow’s purpose.
“We’re a different organisation from who and where we were 12 to 18 months ago. We’ve had big change at governance, management and staff level. The company is in good health despite the many difficulties facing the tourist industry worldwide and our own challenges in New Zealand. We’re developing the Nelson-Tasman region as a year-round holiday destination and we’re keen to connect with everyone in the industry.
“I wasn’t disappointed with the turnout as I know often at the last minute work matters arise and people can’t make it. For me it’s a starting point to engage more (after the Golden Bay Promotions’ AGM.”
People at the roadshow heard in detail about the demographic, economic and political factors that have had an adverse effect on tourism in the last year. For example foot traffic through the Golden Bay i-SITE is down by 6 per cent, and sales are down by 17 per cent.
Presenters also spoke about the “legacy of the Rugby World Cup” and the priorities set by NTT to try to ensure that our region gets its share of visitors, both from New Zealand and overseas. Some of the information was relevant to the whole region and some related specifically to Golden Bay.
Ms Keene also showed a high-definition promotional film, one of a series that is attracting great interest overseas and in New Zealand. These films feature plenty of aerial-shot footage showcasing our region’s beauty. They can be seen in Takaka’s i-SITE or at www.nelsonnz.com. They are also excellent marketing tools for NTT staff when they are talking to the travel media here and overseas.
A major project for the NTT team is the “four-to-six-month-long process of updating the regional tourism strategic plan,” said Ms Keene. “We’ll be doing plenty of public consultation. We want to hear about current products in all fields and new products that would add to the industry in our region. Changes to infrastructure can make a difference too.”
Golden Bay tourism businesses were encouraged to develop and share high-resolution images of their products and to publicise themselves through NTT’s website - www.nelsonnz.com - and their activities through www.itson.co.nz.
NTT also has visual resources available for businesses to link to their own websites.
Neil Wilson
