Ruth has left the building

Assistant general manager Ruth Crampton left last Friday (August 28). DRTM wishes her all the best.

They came, they participated and they raved

A two-day mega familiarisation visit organised by the Rotorua Convention Bureau for conference and incentive organisers last week was highly successful.
The 55 attendees were flown from Auckland by private charter and treated to the best of Rotorua’s corporate offerings, including a lunch under canvas in The Redwoods. All famil participants thoroughly enjoyed themselves and the bureau has received excellent feedback, as well as two bookings to date.
Jude Earles of Corporate Venues in Auckland said it was an unbelievable two days.
“The area has so much to offer and the opportunities are just amazing. It all went so smoothly and perfectly and it has given me new energy to get clients to Rotorua.”

Australian sales trip for James

DRTM international marketing co-ordinator James Fitzgerald took five Rotorua operators to Australia from August 16-21 to undertake wholesale reservation staff training.
James says the trip was a success, with more than 160 reservation staff and product managers from eight major wholesalers attending presentations during the week.
The trip was also to build awareness of Rotorua’s new trans-Tasman service and to promote three-night stays in the region.

Art a new angle for media

DRTM hosted New Zealand media for an arts familiarisation visit revolving around the Rotorua Wearable Creations 'n Colour Awards last weekend.
The Waikato Times, 3news.co.nz, Maori TV and Weekend magazine took up the invitation to attend the event, which was followed by visits to local artists such as sculptor Joe Kemp and tattooist Hira Young.
DRTM media advisor Justine Southwick says all the media enjoyed the weekend and she looks forward to some great results showcasing a unique aspect of the district.

Rotorua on show

Domestic and events marketing co-ordinator Craig Hammond, in conjunction with Air New Zealand, has had a Rotorua display at the Koru Lounge in Auckland Airport’s domestic terminal throughout August.

The display was part of Air NZ's 'Share Your New Zealand' initiative. It featured a Rotorua DVD playing on flat screen; Rotorua visitor guide, events and luxury brochures, as well as props such as a ZORB and a luge cart from Skyline Skyrides.

“This was a fantastic opportunity to promote Rotorua through the lounge, and another great boost for our domestic marketing initiatives,” Craig says.

Japanese update

DRTM is hosting a Japanese marketing seminar next week with Craig Bridge, from Booties Tourism Marketing (BTM), the guest speaker.
Craig has worked closely with Tourism Dunedin (including successfully representing it and some Dunedin operators in Japan) for many years.  BTM specialises in Japanese marketing.
The seminar will cover:

• Background on the Japanese market – better understanding Japanese culture and lifestyle, and reasons why they visit New Zealand.
• Japanese traveller’s expectations - how you can be better prepared.
• The role of the Japanese inbound operator – assisting you to do business in Japan.
• Japanese internet – how having Japanese information on your site can attract the FIT market and double as a reference tool for agents.
• An introduction to BTM’s tourism-related services

The seminar is on Thursday, September 3, from 1.30–3pm at Distinction Rotorua. Admission is free. Anyone wanting to attend should RSVP to karlene@rotoruaNZ.com by Tuesday, September 1.

First chick of season hatches well

The first kiwi chick of the 2009/10 season has hatched at Kiwi Encounter. The as-yet-unnamed chick hatched last Sunday (August 23) and weighed in at 361.3 grams. Rainbow Springs’ marketing co-ordinator Shelley Burnett says the chick is big and healthy and hatched well, though needed some help at the end.
The chick comes from the Ohope region. kiwiencounter.co.nz

Rafters get gold

The New Zealand rafting team won gold at the Second Kashmir Cup International Rafting Championships earlier this month.
The team, comprising Nick Chater, Tak Mutu, Troy Dolman, Bryce Irving and Wade Garmson, beat the Czech and Slovakian teams to win the sprint, head-to-head and downriver events. It also won bronze in the slalom event. Nick, of Multi-Day Adventures in Rotorua, says the win is due to the team members’ experience and quality of training. “The rapids were big, consistently grade three or four. Other teams train mostly in canals and we were therefore more technically experienced.” The Indian government, in its efforts to boost tourism in Kashmir, fully supported the event. It covered all costs for the New Zealand team. In return, Nick represented all the participating rafters, helping with training in his capacity as an International Rafting Federation committee member. The event was huge, with 30-50 international media attending. It screened to 80 million viewers in 150 countries.

New trails to explore

A new mountain biking opportunity is to be launched in Whirinaki Forest Park, an hour southeast of Rotorua, on September 5.
The upgrade and realignment of a section of the Whirinaki multi-day walking track, one hour southeast of Rotorua, has been under way for the past 12 months.
The new Moerangi Saddle section will allow cyclists and walkers to use the track, with widening and other engineering designed to minimise conflicts and keep riders travelling slowly.
Department of Conservation visitor and historic assets manager Earl Rewi said the track covers 35km and climbs 640m if ridden from the easy end.
“It’s an 840m climb from the other (River Rd) end, so we expect most people will choose the softer option – for the first time anyway.”
He said people who previewed the track had given the ride a four-plus difficulty rating.
“That’s mostly because of the length, but also because in places the climb is quite taxing. That challenge is in part what will make the ride special.”
The track passes three DOC huts, which users can overnight in to experience the majesty of the forest, with only kiwi and morepork for company.
On the opening day, riders and walkers will be able to start on the track from 8.30am.
To avoid unnecessary congestion at the road end, those planning to tackle the route are asked to assemble at Minginui Village from 8am.
A gold coin koha will see bikes and riders will be transported to the trail head with collection and return to the village provided later in the day.
See whakatane.com for further details.

Green Drinks with Dr David Bellamy

Dr Bellamy, world-renowned botanist, author, broadcaster, ecologist and environmental campaigner was instrumental in the protection of the remaining giant trees in the Whirinaki Forest 25 years ago. He held the vision of protecting these trees so that eco-tourism income could replace forestry income and thus create a thriving and sustainable community.
Dr Bellamy will be the guest speaker at Green Drinks Rotorua on Thursday September 3 at the Blue Baths, Government Gardens. 
Doors open at 5pm for drinks and networking, with Dr Bellamy's talk starting at 6pm. Admission is $5 for adults and children are free. A contribution from proceeds will be made to support conservation-based initiatives in and around the Whirinaki Forest Park.
A creche is available for a gold coin donation.  RSVP to greg@brandecology.com 

History to be recorded at QE

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Community Trust has commissioned professional Wellington historian Susan Butterworth to create a formal record of the history of Queen Elizabeth Hospital, now trading as QE Health.
“Rotorua’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital has played a pivotal role in the medical history of New Zealand for more than 60 years,” trust chairman Paul Sampson says.
“It reflects the social history of our times as well as the evolution of rehabilitation and the treatment of arthritis.” 
He said trustees felt it was important to capture and document the story of the important role QE Health has, and continues to play, in Rotorua.
Trustee Mary Lean said the objective of the project is to capture and write up the wealth of historical information that is available.
Expected to cost more than $100,000, the project is being funded by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Community Trust with support from the Lotteries Commission, NZ Community Trust, Rotorua Trust and the Southern Trust.
Donations from numerous individuals including former patients will also go towards the project.

Red carpet rolls out

Tourism industry professionals Kim and Andrew Martin and Guy Irwin are behind a new are behind new destination management company Red Carpet Rotorua.
The company will open in August and will provide professional ground arrangements to corporate clients, many of whom will arrive on the trans-Tasman flights to start in December.
“Air New Zealand’s announcement of two Sydney to Rotorua flights per week from December is a dream come true for Rotorua,” Andrew says.
“We have long been considered inaccessible to the Australian conference and incentive markets but now it’s game on.”
Kim, Andrew and Guy are passionate about Rotorua and have combined talents in corporate hospitality, entertainment and project management.
Red Carpet Rotorua specialises in supporting professional conference organisers, incentive houses and corporate event managers in bringing conference groups and incentive travel programmes to Rotorua. It will provide Rotorua-based design and implementation, and co-ordinate Rotorua partners, making planning and logistics simple for clients. The company’s focus is on tailoring unique customised, programmes to meet each corporate client’s strategic objectives and delighting individual participants.
“Rotorua has an outstanding array of accommodation, conference venues, theme experts, AV providers, catering companies and readily accessible entertainers to support what we hope will be a significant increase in conference and incentive business in our city,” Guy adds.
For more detail visit redcarpetrotorua.co.nz or phone (07) 929 9520.

New tour makes a splash

Rotorua Duck Tours’ two WWII amphibious landing crafts known as Ducks will visit stunning Lake Tarawera on a two-hour lake extravaganza from October this year.
Director Trevor Weir says the new tour will run throughout the summer season. The scenery, the history and of course the Duck make this trip Rotorua’s latest must do activity, combining fun, learning and new experiences.
Rotorua’s rich history unfolds on this tour through Rotorua’s lakes region. Come and learn about Maori migration 700 years ago through to today’s Rotorua, the hustling bustling tourism and forestry capital of New Zealand.
The scenery, the history and the Duck make this trip a must-do activity, combining fun, learning and new experiences.
The tour starts in October and will run till the end of April each year. It will start daily at 3.30pm and will cost $69 per adult, $39 per child and $165 for a family of four. Bookings are essential. Phone (07) 345 6522. rotoruaducktours.co.nz

New business for Kelly

Kelly Stewart, former sales and marketing manager at Te Puia, has established her own tourism marketing consultancy, Tourism Marketing NZ. It will focus on the domestic tourism market, with the capacity to develop international sales and marketing strategies. Kelly will also provide product development assistance for the conference and incentive market.
She believes her new venture is well timed.
“We’re in a climate when many operations are looking to reduce head counts but still have the requirement for highly skilled resourcing on a project basis.
“The current economic downturn is not something to sit on and ride out,” she says.
Phone: 021 357 242 or email: kelly@tourismmarketingnz.co.nz

Baby son for Weirs

Trevor and Anu Weir are the proud parents of a new baby boy. Luukas Antero Weir was born on August 25, weighing 3.85kgs. Mum and baby are doing well. Congratulations Trevor and Anu.

Whirinaki 25 Gala Dinner

Friday September 4, 2009

Professor David Bellamy once claimed conservation and eco-tourism were the path to prosperity for small rural communities. 25 years on the world's...
More info...

UCI Trials World Cup 2009

Friday September 11, 2009 - Sunday September 13, 2009

Trials is an exciting form of cycling with riders traversing extreme obstacles in six seperate trial zones - skill, talent and the all-important...
More info...

31st Red Stag Redwoods Forest Relay

Saturday September 12, 2009

A relay event through the towering Redwoods of Rotorua's Grove, Whakarewarewa Forest, commencing from the Redwoods gift shop and...
More info...

Nature Valley N-Trail Run Series: Race 4

Sunday September 27, 2009

The 2009 N-Duro N-Trail Series features short (5 to 10km), medium (10 to 15km) and...
More info...

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
jill@rotoruaNZ.com