November 28, 2008

Kia Ora !*FIRSTNAME*!,

Top of the hill

Rotorua’s Hill family of Lynmore are the new faces of Rotorua. With help from The Daily Post, the family - Mum Sandra, Dad Geoff and children Leanna (14), Brandon (12) and Tegan (9) - were chosen by DRTM from around 50 entries received from locals interested in being the ‘new faces of Rotorua’. The Hills spent last weekend being filmed doing some local attractions and activities as part of the next step in DRTM’s TV campaign designed to attract domestic visitors to Rotorua. The summer TV ads, starting on the digital channel on December 27, are family focused while the recent spring ads targeted older baby boomers or empty-nesters. Sandra says she entered the family as she thought it would be a bit of fun – and that’s what they ended up having. “We think Rotorua is a great place to live with lots of things on offer for tourists and locals.”

Stimulating backpacker interest

DRTM International Co-ordinator James Fitzgerald has been in Australia twice in the past two weeks to provide a destinational presence, and represent the Rotorua Backpacker Network, at the Australian Backpacker and Adventure Travel Expos in Sydney, November 14-17, and Brisbane, November 20-24. Although the expos have run in Sydney and Melbourne for the past 15 years, it was the first one to be held in Brisbane. James says the numbers attracted to the Darling Harbour expo were up 15% (to 8500) on last year, and he was surprised by the wide cross-section of people who attended. He estimated only 10% of them fitted the profile of the traditional backpacker; so not only did he field questions about what there was to do in Rotorua and how long they should stay, there was also interest in lodges and 4-star hotels. Interestingly those who attended the Brisbane expo were more obviously backpackers. James says the first day in Brisbane was quiet due to warnings for people to stay home due to a cyclone threat. A common feature of both expos was the number of people who had already pre-booked a NZ trip but came along to source more specific information and ideas.

DRTM collateral update

The new 2009 Rotorua Visitor Guide is currently in the process of being signed off and is due to go to print prior to Christmas. The January-June 2009 Rotorua Events guide for has been printed and distributed via direct mail drop in selected areas of Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and the Hawke’s Bay. In Essence, our twice a year trade and media update, is in the production stage. It’s due to be signed off on December 17.   

Pictures worth a thousand words

Great to receive praise for our destinational DVD from Linda McClain of Linda McClain Travel Services in the US. Linda, a Kiwi travel specialist based in Schenectady, New York, requested support material from DRTM to use at a Maori culture night she was hosting. “The DVD is extremely well done. I love it! I will also use it for my Food and Wine Trail presentation . . . and share it at one of my regular presentations to my BNI group (a business referral organisation). She added “One of the things I learned from my Maori cultural famil (while in NZ) was to value my personal ancestry more than I had in the past. Being able to share the stories, music and traditions of the Maori people will definitely emphasise additional value to the personal experience one can have as a visitor to your country.”

More language barriers down

More praise for DRTM, this time about our new French website, www.rotoruaNZ.fr. Francis Mortimer of NZ Pacific Discovery emailed us to say “I just want to congratulate you on the great French Language site I’ve just discovered on your web. Well done.” With just three weeks of statistics in at this point, the new site has attracted 154 visitors, with 103 of those clicking through from our rotoruaNZ.com site. Also pleasing to note 40% of visitors have returned for a second look which we reckon is “tres bon”.

 

And then some

And then there was Grant Hisken, Programme Manager for Ronald McDonald House Charities NZ, who reckons our image library is “fantastic”.  Grant is using the Rotorua imagery in promotional material around the launch of the new Ronald McDonald Family Retreat at Ngongotaha early next year.

Sydney ‘branch’ office 

Former Media Advisor Hannah Blake (nee Stone) will work with the DRTM team again in the New Year, albeit on a remote part-time project basis, following the birth of her first child in January 2009. Sydney-based for the past two years, Hannah has been contracted to promote Rotorua in Australia by feeding stories to relevant media, sourcing new media opportunities and staying close to key media contacts in the market. DRTM Assistant GM Ruth Crampton says the timing is especially important as we work towards Trans Tasman services.

Numbers down, quality up

Compared to this time last year, the past month (October 25-November 24) traffic to rotoruaNZ.com has seen a decline in actual traffic numbers by 9% however the good news is that those who are coming are staying longer and looking at more. Average pageviews are up 27% while the time spent on the site has increased by 29%. The fact that 32% of traffic was returning visitors spending twice as long on the site and looked at 39% more pages than the average new visitor is also positive stuff. The bounce rate is down by 18% which is also good news; it means more of the visitors coming to the site via search engines are choosing to stay and look around rather than ‘bounce’ to another site listed in the search result. More than 21% of all links to our website from DRTM’s October newsletter came from visitors who had never visited the site before.

The hit parade

The top 10 pages on rotoruaNZ.com in the past month were (in descending order) the attractions index, attractions/geothermal, events index, accommodation index, attractions/adventure, accommodation/hotels, accommodation/motels, attraction/family fun, attractions/sightseeing, attractions/spa and wellness. The 2008 Rotorua Visitor Guide was the most favoured download, following by DOC Walking Tracks, Rotorua Map, RDC Walkways, RDC Natural Heritage Trail, RDC Parks and Reserves, Rotorua Events, Mountain Biking, RDC Cultural Heritage Trail and the Backpacker Guide.

Two in a row

Treetops Lodge and Wilderness Experience have again been selected as New Zealand’s best hotel in the 2008 Condé Nast Traveler (USA) magazine Readers’ Choice Awards. Treetops Lodge was the only New Zealand hotel to be voted in the readers’ top 100 destinations – an accolade they also received in 2007. The unprecedented achievement is a result of a survey conducted among the magazine’s readers. Results are compiled from the responses which calculate satisfaction based on activities, facilities, food and dining, overall design, rooms and service from each hotel. The lodge’s environmentalist founder, John Sax, says “We are exceptionally proud of our whole team at Treetops Lodge because this recognition confirms that a luxury lodge can be built on sustainable values and practices and be recognised as the leader in luxury lodging in New Zealand and the world.”

Rainbow has golden hue

Newly rebranded Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park joined a select group of New Zealand accommodation providers and tourism attractions earlier this month by attaining a Qualmark Enviro-Gold rating under the new environmental benchmarking system. Gold, silver and bronze Qualmark Enviro logos recognise businesses that are actively participating in waste management, energy efficiency, conservation initiatives, community activities, and water conservation. Qualmark CEO Geoff Penrose said achieving an Enviro-Gold logo is “evidence that Rainbow Springs has achieved the pinnacle of responsible tourism processes within their operation.” Rainbow Springs’ Regional General Manager Stewart Brown says achieving the Enviro-Gold logo is an important step for the 76-year-old conservation focused business and demonstrates a broad commitment to the highest level in environmental practices. “Our team is 100% behind our sustainable business ethic and are constantly looking for ideas that we can introduce into the business to make improvements.”

Silver for Agrodome

Rainbow Springs isn’t the only local visitor attraction to achieve the new enviro logo, the Agrodome and Rotorua Aquatic Centre have also been benchmarked under the Qualmark Green system. As a quintessentially New Zealand operation, the Agrodome must ensure that sustainable practices underpin all aspects of its operation, says joint Managing Director Warren Harford. “Receiving the Responsible Tourism Enviro-Silver logo gives the Agrodome the comfort of marketing alongside the 100% pure brand, knowing that our visitors will be delivered a quality and environmental friendly product. The next stage for Agrodome is to go for gold.” The Rotorua Aquatic Centre also received Enviro-Silver logo. Click here to read full Qualmark Green media release.

Business excellence

Nick Berryman, Managing Director of New Zealand Riverjet, believes that innovation and determination led to his company winning a Westpac Rotorua Business Excellence Award in November 2008. Their win in the Hospitality and Attractions Business category follows on from being finalists in the prestigious New Zealand Tourism Awards in 2007. “Hard work, development and sticking to a well laid out plan have lead to continued growth resulting in being recognised as a tourism leader, especially with the high calibre of the other finalists,” said Nick.

Form and function recognised

Rotorua’s Energy Events Centre, designed by Boon Goldsmith Bhaskar Team Architecture, took out two prizes in the 2008 Waikato/Bay of Plenty Architecture Awards announced earlier this month. One of five winners in the public architecture category, the judges praised the complex for its “respectful treatment of a sensitive site.” It also received the Resene Colour Award. Events and Venues GM Peter McLeod said the awards reaffirm what customers of the centre had been saying since the complex opened its doors for business in March last year. “Event attendees are invariably blown away by the impressive design of the building, its lakeside setting, and its sensitively integrated cultural design elements,” says Peter. “Therefore it’s appropriate that the creative work of Murali Bhaskar and his firm’s team of architects be acknowledged by these awards.” The annual awards are run by the New Zealand Institute of Architects and supported by sponsor Resene. Convener of judges Jorgen Frandsen said standards and numbers of entries had been high, with over 60 projects entered and 33 shortlisted. 

New Zealand tops with Telegraph readers

New Zealand has been voted ‘Best Destination’ by readers in the Telegraph Travel Awards announced on Wednesday morning in the UK. Telegraph Group Travel Editor Graham Boynton said his readers had busy lives and liked New Zealand’s old-fashioned values and shared culture. “People like the friendliness of the people, the serenity and the beautiful, unspoilt environment of New Zealand. They can get in tune with the place and relax with the people,” he said. He added that New Zealand was a place people visited not for a few days but, for a few weeks, to “become part of things”.

New era for TREKS

The 187-bed Treks backpackers became a YHA property on November 17. The purchase was hailed by YHA as a mark of confidence in the backpacking and budget travel sectors despite tough economic times. YHA Chief Executive Mark Wells said they are confident about the backpacking market holding up better than some of the upper-end and older markets. Former owner Bill Scapens said Rotorua is unbeatable when it comes to tourism. He was quoted in The Daily Post as saying they hadn't planned to give up the family business they built from scratch in 2005. However, when YHA New Zealand offered them a deal too good to refuse, they reluctantly decided to let Treks go. He was also quoted as saying the whole family would miss the city which Bill described as an exceptional tourist destination which knew how to do things properly. “As a city, we found the people fantastic to work with, right down to the Rotorua District Council and Destination Rotorua.”

Lodge re-opening draws near

We hear the Lake Okareka Lodge re-opening date has been set for December 18. Country Manager for lodge owners, lebua Hotels and Resorts, Diana Moore said earlier this month that they are “on the home straight now” with almost all the redevelopment and refurbishment complete. Delighted to read in the lodge’s latest update that, as part of the refurb, talented local Rotorua sculptor Joe Kemp has been commissioned to produce two stone sculptures reflecting Maori design in a contemporary way. DRTM photographed Joe with one his sculptures last year to represent one of our five spirits – ‘the spirit of a living culture’.

Museums in the tourism mix

The Rotorua Museum team have this week played host to a prestigious international museum conference, November 24-28, held at the Lakeside Novotel. Some 170 delegates from 18 countries have been in the city attending the International Committee on Museum Management INTERCOM) conference. Cultural tourism accounts for a large proportion of all travel to destinations around the world and museum visits are a key motivation for many tourists hence the conference theme ‘Museums, Tourism and the Visitor Experience’. Museum Director Greg McManus is the conference convenor and a board member of INTERCOM.

Big convention confirmed for Rotorua

Rotorua has been selected as the venue for a top international convention ahead of Auckland and Wellington. Organisers for the 2013 Altrusa International convention were impressed with Rotorua’s scenery and surroundings, and with its hotels and Energy Events Centre. The convention is expected to attract 650 delegates including many international delegates. They will spend up to seven days at the convention, and many of them will extend their stays to explore other parts of the Rotorua region and New Zealand. Altrusa International is an association of professionals who volunteer their energies and expertise in projects dedicated to community betterment. It also fights for literacy and against AIDS. It has more than 10,000 members in 13 countries.

Retreat almost complete

Following two years of sponsorship and fundraising the Ronald McDonald Family House Retreat, in Operiana Street Ngongotaha, is close to completion. Despite a wet winter, progress on the buildings has been good since the first sod was turned in May 2008. The property is scheduled to be blessed next month (December 13) prior to the official opening next February. The retreat has been designed to allow families of chronically ill children to spend time together at one of the two properties on the site. Rotorua was chosen as the site of the first retreat due to the closeness to a large range of popular family activities and attractions. Karinia Lee, of Ronald McDonald House Charities NZ, says support for the project has been overwhelming but, with the true spirit of Christmas much in evidence at this time of year, donations towards the family retreat can still be made at the Bank of New Zealand. DRTM is producing an attraction guide to be used by families staying at the retreat. Looking much like the current Rotorua Visitor Guide, the new guide will feature a range of special offers from attractions in the area. It will be sent out to families prior to their stay at the retreat so they can plan their time in Rotorua.

Pays to be wary

Paul Trowell of Imaginate Marketing gave DRTM a heads up earlier this week in regard to what appears to be a credit card booking scam concerning Ann Construction Company, which is apparently UK based (+44 is the international phone prefix). In the email a Mr Laurie Bravo starts out by saying “I want to make reservation at your Place for Our clients coming down to your Place, so my clients will be staying at your Place. Below is the details you need to make the reservation for them.” He then goes into details of who, what and when and ends by saying NOTE: I can Only make payment via our credit card. Only get back to me if you have Credit Card facility.

Gluten-free options on menu

Good on Mamaku Blue Blueberry Experience for recognising that gluten intolerance is a health issue affecting a growing number of people. The attraction’s café are introducing a range of gluten-free products this summer including gluten-free blueberry muffins and blueberry pancakes as well as venison and blueberry pies and ham and vegetable quiches made using gluten-free pastry.

In memoriam

DRTM were very sad to hear of the passing of Chris Innes late last month. A friendly and highly enthusiastic people person, Chris ran Chris Innes Tours as well as Innes Cottage B & B with his wife Gill. Prior to his illness, Chris was an active member of the Rotorua Luxury Cluster and was instrumental in the success of the first NZ Pure Luxury show held in Rotorua in May 2007 prior to TRENZ.

Salute this appointment

Treetops Lodge and Wilderness Estate new Assistant Manager is Lisa Ross. Formerly Housing Manager for the NZ Defense Force at Waiouru, Lisa started at Treetops at the end of October. She has worked at Huka Lodge, run a ski lodge in Ohakune, at many hotels around NZ including Heritage, Chateau Tongariro and the Regent Hotel as well as in sales and marketing for Scenic Circle Hotels. Half way through a Business Management degree, Lisa is originally from Auckland but has been in the central North Island for the past nine (three in Taupo and six in Ohakune). Animal mad Lisa (she has a cat, dog and a quarter horse) reckons “New Zealand is the best little country in the world!”

Change of name - and focus

Rotorua Mini Suites is the new name for what was formerly the Amble Inn motel. Manager Emma Maangi says the Meade Street property has had a complete makeover to go with their new name and new management. She says the motel is planning to add bike storage facilities in the near future as a way to target mountain bikers as new guests.

Additions benefit guests    

Solitaire Lodge’s new award-winning Executive Chef Ram Maruri has generated “very positive feedback” from guests since he joined the lodge in early November. According to the lodge’s latest newsletter, Ram has worked in various luxury lodges and has brought fresh ideas to the lodge menu. Former Tourism Rotorua i-SITE staffer Rachel Armstrong has also joined the lodge staff. A born and bred local armed with a Bachelor of Tourism degree, Rachel is well placed to help guests with their activity and travel plans.

Service the name of the game

Two other Tourism Rotorua i-SITE staffers have moved on, but only across the road. Roimata Sergeant and Tracey Lack are among the 17-strong team that will man the RDC’s new Customer Services area in the soon to be opened extensions at the entrance to the main council building. Staff began training on November 17 and a soft opening is scheduled for December 15 ahead of an official opening in the New Year once trials and testing is complete.   

Springs go round

Some temporary staff role changes will have come into force at Rainbow Springs for the summer due to Stewart Brown’s extended secondment to the group’s (Ngai Tahu Tourism) West Coast Glacier Hot Pool project on the South Island’s West Coast. Current Regional Sales Manager Rob Finlayson has been seconded to Operations Manager to oversee day-to-day park operations including retail and café while current Regional Marketing Manager Michelle Caudwell will assume responsibility for both sales and marketing functions for Central North Island businesses (Rainbow Springs, Kiwi Encounter and Huafalls Jet). 

Media shuffle

The Daily Post’s former Chief Reporter, Ingrid Tiriana, has been promoted to the role of Deputy Editor following Kim Gillespie’s departure to take up the editorship of the Wanganui Chronicle. Deputy Chief Reporter Kelly Makiha is currently filling Ingrid’s former role until a new appointment is made. At More FM news reporter Edward Scragg has replaced Sam Morrah while Mike Baird, the current morning DJ on The Breeze, will take over the More FM breakfast show in January when Mark Dallas heads to Auckland.

Hand up who wants haka lesson?

A local man has come up with a great new option for visitors who truly want to get to grips with some colourful local culture. From next month Tiki Edwards is giving haka lessons to interested males as well as females. Tiki says he came up with the idea when he played rugby while living in the UK. He found people from all cultures were interested in the haka and he was continually asked to perform one. Kiwi Paka owner Malcolm Munro is backing Tiki so the new offering will be available at the backpackers from December 2008. Malcolm says it is great Tiki wants to educate people by way of the fun 90-minute sessions. While the lessons may seem all fun as visitors get to dress up in Maori costume and have a temporary moko drawn on their face, they also have a serious, educational side as Tiki explains the meaning and history behind the haka.

Raft plus kayaks equal expansion

This month has been a big one for River Rats Rafting, not only have they expanded and changed their name but they have also moved base. The purchase of a kayaking operation (the former Sunspots Kayak Shop at Mourea) means the business is now known as River Rats Raft and Kayak. Owner-operator Justin Hutton says the new kayaking arm offers both freedom rentals as well as guided tours on Rotorua lakes from the company’s new base on SH33, adjacent to the Duxton Okawa Bay. Their new premises also house a retail operation selling kayaks and associated equipment.

From small seedling great trees grow

Joe and Jo Doherty of Te Urewera Treks are about to launch a new sustainable tourism project. The initiative is supported by TravelEssence, a Dutch tour wholesaler, that share the Doherty’s vision to deliver a unique and sustainable world-class tourism experience for international visitors. The concept involves overseas visitors helping to offset their carbon emissions by planting native seedlings to assist with restoration of the Urewera indigenous rainforest as well as making a donation towards the ongoing management of the resulting forest. It is hoped the joint initiative will create a number of employment opportunities including tourist guiding, pest control, and the establishment of a native seedling nursery. Te Urewera Treks run one to three-day guided walks for small groups in the Whirinaki Forest Park, Te Urewera National Park and on private Maori land. The new tree planting initiative is an optional half-day on each of these treks. Specialising in high quality, high value, individually tailored tours to New Zealand with a focus on sustainability, TravelEssence is owned and operated by expat Kiwi Andrew Morten. Andrew says he expects more than 1000 clients to plant more than 5000 trees in Te Urewera over the next three years.

More involvement adds value

Tuatara feeding, early morning bird feeding, educational kea talks, night-time kiwi spotting and ‘how to’ organic gardening are among the new range of experiences added to the line up at Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park. Launched last month, the tours are offered to the public on a rotational basis but groups can (for a fee) re-arrange particular talks at specific times to suit their itineraries. 

The whole person

Go 360 opened in Eruera Street last month to offer a wide spectrum of mind and body health options. Eve Johnson, a spokesperson for the new venture, says the new health and wellness centre’s practitioners offer a range of natural therapies including a Maori healer of 26 years standing who uses a greenstone mere and indigenous herbs to create life balance. The centre also offers reflexology, hot mineral massage, general massage, Shiatsu, nutritionalist, naturopath, kinesiology, fully equipped gym, life coaching and image consultancy.

Cafés rise again

This month has seen new beginnings for both Brass (formerly Fuze) and Zinc (formerly Iconz). Businessman Geoff Ray, well known for successfully starting Lady Jane’s Ica Cream Parlour and Sirocco Café, is the man behind Nuvolari. Geoff has opted for an Italian pizza and pasta dining theme this time. Across the road Solace, offers an East West fusion theme.

Assistance on hand for ‘enviro’ seekers

Rotorua is racking up the number of tourism operators to have been awarded Qualmark Enviro Logos with many of those businesses attributing their success to the assistance they have received through membership of the Rotorua Sustainable Tourism Charter. The Ministry of Tourism's Sustainability Tourism Advisors in Regions (STAR) project has formalised the relationship between Qualmark and the regional Sustainable Tourism Charters by providing Qualmark specific training to the Charter Assessors.  Members of the Rotorua Sustainable Tourism Charter are eligible to have the Charter Assessor conduct a Qualmark Green pre-assessment prior to their actual Qualmark assessment. The resulting report identifies what Enviro Logo rating the business is likely to achieve. For those likely to achieve less than ‘gold’, the report itemises what further actions are required to move up to the next rating. Louis Sylvester of Rotorua Aquatic Centre had this to say about the Charter’s assistance: “Thanks Eldad, we were a few ticks off the gold – so next year should be easy. We could not however have done this without the Charter’s help and your great assistance so thanks so much for firstly getting us started and secondly assisting us along the way.”  

To find out more about joining the Rotorua Sustainable Tourism Charter visit www.sustainableNZ.com or call Charter Assessor, Eldad Collins of APR Consultants on (07) 349 8325.


Xterra Trail Run National Championships
Qualifying race for the world trail
December 6
Running champ, Whakarewarewa Forest and Energy Events Centre.
www.xterranz.com

Rotorua Half Ironman
Swim 2km, bike 90km and run 21km, Blue Lake.
December 13
www.half.co.nz

Carols by Candlelight
Celebrate this local Christmas tradition, Kuirau Park
December 19

Mardi Gras
Family concert to celebrate the New Year, Village Green, Rotorua Lakefront.
December 31

For more information on these and other events, go to rotoruaNZ.com/events

We have collected your contact details. This information is collected to enable us to keep you up to date with tourism news pertinent to the Rotorua tourism market and keep you informed of the activities of the Destination Rotorua Marketing office. We will not disclose your contact details to third parties.

 

Jill Marshall
Communications Manager
Destination Rotorua Marketing
Private Bag 3007, Rotorua
Phone +64 7 349 7285
Fax +64 7 349 4133