For immediate release

ROTORUA, Monday 20 June 2011:  Destination Rotorua Marketing has been delighted with the positive feedback from last week’s tourism forum.

Held in Rotorua and hosted by Destination Rotorua Marketing and Maori in Tourism, the forum’s purpose was to update local tourism operators of industry trends, provide relevant information from across the sector and to seek support and engagement with  Destination Rotorua Tourism’s marketing business plan.

Tania Bui, Acting General Manager Destination Rotorua Marketing, says it was an extremely productive day with operators excited and proud of local industry achievements and future plans.

“It was recognised that the current economic climate presents new challenges to tourism businesses. And we need a new plan. The great thing is that the industry is  rapidly moving to “ our “ plan rather than their plan or your plan because with challenge come opportunity” says Bui.

One of the most current opportunities is the New Zealand Rugby World Cup, which kicks off early September.  Destination Rotorua Marketing has secured a prime spot opposite Party Central, at No 1 Queen Street, for Rotorua operators to market themselves during and after the Rugby World Cup.

“Immediately after we presented this opportunity, we were swamped with inquiries about how  our operators could leverage this exciting platform,” says Bui.

Forum delegates were also encouraged to invest in education and tap into resources such as The Aviation, Tourism and Travel Training Organisation (ATTO) to ensure their businesses were delivering the utmost quality and service to meet the changing and increasing demands of visitors.

Bui encouraged delegates to be “brave and proud” with their businesses.

“We have been inspired from the feedback we’ve received from delegates this week, many whom have indicated they are looking forward to stepping up to the new challenges,. We can set ambitions and direction but it’s crucial that we act as a team to bring prosperity” says Bui.

Currently Destination Rotorua Marketing is restructuring  and plans to appoint a new General Manager and  other key staff within the next two months.

The forum, led by Maori in Tourism chairman Oscar Nathan, also featured presentations by Rainbow Spring’s Stewart Brown, Rotorua Airport chief executive George White, Aviation Tourism and Travel Training Organisation’s Elizabeth Valentine ,  Destination Rotorua Marketing Marketing’s Tania Bui and Gina George, and Events & Venue’s Peter McLeod.

Ends

For more information contact:
Tania Bui
Acting General Manager Destination Rotorua Marketing
Phone 0272444155