Tourist regions recommended

Press, 26 May 1984, Page 8

Tourist regions recommended

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington The formation of 23 tourist regions, each with a central theme to unify it, has been recommended by the Tourism Council in its full report on issues and policies for New Zealand tourism just released. These regions would pool resources and funds to maintain higher levels of marketing activity. Attention would need to be given to developing information resources for visitors, and providing a high standard of regional facilities. The report said New Zealand had always had a tradition of “through” travel, but the development of popular visitor spots meant the benefits of tourism had not always been spread evenly. Now, the growth in independent and unstructured types of holidays had begun to encourage movement off the established circuit and towards previously less visited parts of the country. In many regions, the report said, even residents had but a dim awareness of their tourism resources. Regional planning would help residents identify resources and promote attractions. What was familiar and

commonplace to locals was often of great interest to visitors. Because of New Zealand’s isolation from the rest of the world, activities such as farm visits were popular with tourists because it gave an insight into New Zealand’s farming style and offered a new and enjoyable experience. The ability and willingness of local industries to become part of the tourism industry was being reviewed by the Tourist and Publicity Department. Diversity often made it hard to promote tourism within a single region, and individual regions often did not have the necessary marketing resources and expertise needled, the report said. Co-ordinated regional groups — such as used widely overseas — pursuing common themes could market on a regional scale, maximise the development of attractions, avoid unwanted duplication, and pool resources. New Zealand already had a regional network of 22 united councils, the report said, and these areas would provide a good basis to establish a series of tourism regions, each with its own theme. Themes and activities were suggested for the five

such regions proposed in the northern South Island: ® Marlborough — national attractions would be the Marlborough Sounds cruising and leisure network of water reaching resorts, hideaways, fishing, marina and small craft. Its regional attractions included wine-food trails incorporating Picton (seafood); Blenheim (vineyards): Kaikoura (crayfish). An Oktoberfest Festival at Blenheim; upgrading the outdoor rural museum; upgrading and expanding the Picton Marina; redeveloping the waterfront with arts-crafts-restaurants; canoeingrafting on the Wairau River, improved access for Molesworth Station safaris. • Nelson — national attractions would be as an “Alternative Living Centre” linked to main arts-crafts development and a special artisan zone with workshops, studios, health food restaurants, outdoor cafes. Its regional attractions included expanding walkingcanoeing safaris in the National Parks, linked with yachting charters and cruises through Abel Tasman National Park and the Marlborough Sounds. New sightseeing tours might include historic places and buildings; hop, tobacco and

kiwifruit areas and processing; alternative lifestyle areas. A Lord Rutherford Festival could be promoted with scientific-educational displays, and exhibitions and workshops linked with the Cawthom Institute. 9 West Coast — national attractions would be a “Wild West Coast” network of newly restored, historically based sites and attractions such as coal, gold or forgotten towns. Its regional attractions included miners-bushmens’ caberets; expansion of walkways and walking tours; developing the Punakaiki National Park. 9 North Canterbury — national attractions would be a “Gracious New Zealand” network of historic, buildings, gardens and reserves; completing the Ferrymead Historic Park as a heritage park of inter national standards; developing the New Brighton foreshore. Its regional attractions included continued development of the Arts Centre, linked with satellite arts centres at Akaroa, Rangiora and Hanmer, new sightseeing tours of historic homes and sites in Christchurch and the countryside; improved evening

ment in the city. Rural tours of high country stations, mixed farms and farm processing could be combined with farmstays in a “Canterbury Heritage Trail” with Lincoln College. Hanmer Springs could be upgraded . into an international spa resort while an annual “Festival Francais d’Akaroa” could be linked with the development of Akaroa as a distinct French heritage town. 9 Aorangi — national attractions would be an upgraded Hermitage and the creation of an alpine resort of international standard. Its regional attractions included heli-ski-ing and a wider range of summer and winter activities; rural tours of historic homes and sites, and to working farms linked with farmstays; Methven could be developed by horse-trekking. canoeing, rafting and hang-gliding as well as ski-ing. A “Mackenzie hydro park” could be developed as a multi-use energy and leisure area; Caroline Bay could host a Christmas Pageant and New Year Festival; Geraldine could run rural arts, crafts and winemaking.