February 18, 2010 Kia Ora !*FIRSTNAME*!, Tourism Committee full speed ahead drafting strategy for RotoruaRotorua's recently established Tourism Committee has wasted no time coming up-to-speed on the local tourism situation and just weeks after its first meeting is well down the track drafting a new strategy for the city's future tourism development. Committee chairman Tony Marks said committee members had already held an inaugural meeting, two workshops and a local industry forum in recent weeks. He said the forum had provided an excellent opportunity to share ideas and aspirations with operators about the future of Rotorua's tourism. "I've been impressed by the level of support we've had from the local industry, the passion and commitment to our tourism, and the raft of creative and innovative ideas that have surfaced. This feedback is immensely valuable for our immediate task and it's a vital part of developing a blueprint for the future. "We're working closely with Destination Rotorua Marketing and the local industry as we formulate the new tourism strategy. It's certainly a big task and it has its challenges, but we're making very good progress and expect to make further inroads at our workshop next week." "Tourism holds substantial untapped potential for Rotorua but clearly the direction needs to be refined and the opportunities reassessed before we're able to recapture our rightful position as this country's number one visitor destination. "I expect our strategy will set this as our long term goal and if we are able to achieve that then a significant increase in visitor numbers and visitor spend is not beyond the realms of possibility over the next few years. It's a big call but it's achievable if we get the necessary tourism investment, increased air links and we get the marketing right. With some smart thinking, sound forward planning and everyone pulling together Rotorua can achieve substantial tourism growth." Tony says he expects the Rotorua Tourism Committee will have its draft strategy ready to present to Rotorua District Council within the next few weeks so it can be included in the public consultation programme for the council's 2011/12 annual plan. "We'll be keeping our local tourism community informed as the new strategy takes shape and I've no doubt we'll be calling on everyone involved in tourism in this city in the very near future to play a part in making it all happen. Watch this space!" he said. [Ends] For more information: Tony Marks
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