@leisure Planners
@leisure is a team of experienced leisure, aquatic and sports facility managers and planners, with market modelling, sports management, recreation planning, business and GIS qualifications. We have…
read moreIn the wake of drastically lower visitor numbers since the White Island tragedy of December last year, mitigating the ongoing economic impact for local business and supporting the area’s tourism sector is at the forefront of Whakatane District tourism activities.
Whakatane District Council, New Zealand's Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and Tourism Bay of Plenty are working together behind the scenes, as part of the wider recovery project, to move forward an enhanced marketing campaign to highlight the range of visitor experiences on offer throughout the District.
Local businesses immediately impacted following the eruption are currently working through the process of applying for a portion of the emergency fund announced by the New Zealand Government late last year.
However, with the shoulder seasons usually the busiest months for international visitors, the full impact to the District’s economy is yet to be felt, with visitor spend spread across many sectors of the economy including retail, hospitality, transport as well as tourism operators and accommodation.
Advising that boosting tourism marketing for both domestic and international visitors will help mitigate potential financial losses through the shoulder seasons, Whakatane District Council Tourism and Events Manager Nicola Burgess stated "details of our marketing plan are being finalised with MBIE and it will unlock some of the emergency funding announced by MBIE in December.
“We’re immensely grateful to MBIE for their support and see boosting our business as usual marketing activities, especially to a domestic audience, as a short to medium-term way of encouraging more visitors and recouping the drop in international visitors."
With the domestic market accounting for 80% of visitors to the Whakatane District, with $119 million spent annually, Burgess says marketing activities will initially focus on growing this market, adding "while we see growing our domestic visitors as the best quick-win, bringing international visitors back is also important but will take more time.
“Whakaari/White Island was by-in-large the most popular international visitor attraction for us, so alongside Tourism Bay of Plenty, we have a lot of work to do to get those international visitors back."
Whakatane District Mayor Judy Turner says while there is a lot of work to be done, there are some exciting opportunities in the local tourism sector.
Mayor Turner noted "one heartening story that has come from international visitors since the Whakaari tragedy is that they are pleasantly surprised with the range of other visitor experiences here. We need to capitalise on this and shine a light on all the other wonderful things to do here throughout most months of the year.”
Increasing tourism marketing activities for the District forms part the wider Whakaari/White Island economic recovery project, with Whakatane District Council working alongside partners, Te Runanga o Ngati Awa, EBOP Chamber of Commerce and Toi EDA.
Image courtesy of Tourism New Zealand.
26th February 2020 - Documents reveal the timeline of the White Island tragedy
24th December 2019 - Authorities end search for remaining bodies missing after White Island volcanic eruption
13th December 2019 - New Zealand troops to recover bodies on White Island volcano
10th December 2019 - Tourist excursions to White Island were a ‘disaster waiting to happen’
9th December 2019 - Eruption at New Zealand’s White Island volcano leads to deaths and injuries
22nd November 2019 - Bay of Plenty trail reopens ahead of summer peak season
30th May 2017 - Spaces and Places Strategy endorsed by Bay of Plenty councils
13th January 2015 - Eastern Bay of Plenty gets Virtually On Track
12th May 2014 - Bay of Plenty Regional Council to remove Mount Maunganui artificial surf reef
27th March 2014 - Sport Bay of Plenty announces new Chief Executive
6th March 2012 - Bay of Plenty to host NZ Coastal Recreation Conference
14th October 2011 - Bay of Plenty oil disaster has significant affects on leisure
21st September 2011 - Waikato/Bay of Plenty to be home of national cycling hub
16th April 2011 - Waikato/Bay of Plenty preferred tenderer for cycling centre of excellence
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
@leisure is a team of experienced leisure, aquatic and sports facility managers and planners, with market modelling, sports management, recreation planning, business and GIS qualifications. We have…
read moreKnown as Hydrilla since September 2020 - see www.ausleisure.com.au/suppliers/hydrilla-pty-ltd
read moreCompliant chemical storage and decanting solutions. Includes spill kits, spill containment pallets, chemical decanting decks and safety shower and eyewash equipment. See our full range of solutions
read moreDigonex is a leading provider of customised dynamic pricing solutions to clients in arts and entertainment, sport, attractions, cultural institutions and retail sectors. Digonex’s technology is…
read moreiEDM integrate Design, Engineering and Delivery Management services to convert existing spaces into exciting new entertainment venues. Our team consists of highly qualified professionals with diverse…
read moreCentaman has been a market leader in Enterprise Software Solutions for the leisure and recreation industry and both profit and not-for-profit attractions since 1991. It offers a wide range of software…
read moreBH Fitness, part of the long-standing and iconic bike manufacturer BH Group, is a global leader in fitness equipment for both Commercial and Home markets. The company, with the headquarters based in…
read moreA leading designer and manufacturer of innovative waterslides and attractions, Australian Waterslides and Leisure (AWL) is also able to advise clients in the areas of concept and design, feasibility…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!