Pacific Coast Highway New Zealand

Welcome by Jim Little, Chairman of the Pacific Coast Highway

Welcome to the first Pacific Coast Highway Newsletter. The Pacific Coast Highway Marketing Alliance has been very active and has produced 90,000 touring maps, new posters and upgraded the website www.pacificcoast.co.nz. We welcome information from businesses along the touring route so if you have some news please email it to [email protected] so we can tell everyone through the newsletter, Pacific Coast Highway Happenings. The Pacific Coast Highway partners are Tourism Coromandel, Tourism Bay of Plenty, Tourism Whakatane and Tourism Eastland, and we also get project support from Tourism Auckland.

Regards, Jim Little, Chairman PCH

EASTLAND PLAYS HOST TO UK GOLD FAMIL Gisborne hosted the UK Gold Familiarisation group from 19-22 April. The UK Gold Famil is part of Tourism New Zealand’s trade familiarisation programme and is one of the most important groups that they bring to New Zealand. The group was made up of directors and product managers from top UK and Netherlands travel companies.	The UK Gold Famil at The Lindauer Cellars
These executives have the ability to influence the products brochured and sold by their companies. These companies mostly target the middle to upmarket visitor and were solely interested in product that was ready for the international market. The group had two full action packed days in the region and were extremely impressed with what the Gisborne region has to offer.

ROCKIN GOOD TIME AT THE BEACH HOP!

Over 70,000 people flocked to the Whangamata Beach Hop on 30 April to celebrate the 50s and 60s— Coromandel style! The event is becoming popular with rock n roll clubs and classic car enthusiast from Australia and the USA, and bookings for next year are already coming in thick and fast. Having experienced huge growth over the last three years, the festival is starting to attract significant mainstream media attention. Visitors filled up every hotel in Whangamata, so many stayed in neighbouring towns like Waihi and Tairua.

TOURISM BOP SELECTED FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM PROGRAMME

Tourism Bay of Plenty is getting ready to embark on a three-year project that targets lifting community awareness of being good to the environment. The regional tourism organisation was recently chosen to take part in the government’s $1.2 million Environmentally Sustainable Tourism project following a successful proposal. The project, a joint initiative of the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry for the Environment, aims to “help tourism operators tap into the rewards of smart environmental businesses practice.” As one of regions selected, Tourism BOP will received funds up to $220,000 over the next three years. One of the project’s objectives is to raise the profile of the need for sustainable tourism through showing the public that being wise to environmental needs goes hand in hand with future business success. During the first year of the project, Tourism BOP will work at building community awareness about sustainable tourism through a series of workshops aiming to bring area businesses into a charter group. Businesses will also be urged to start incorporating sustainable business practices into their procedures. All local businesses will be invited to take part in the project and sign on to commit to the charter. With the help of sustainability experts, Tourism BOP will provide resources, knowledge and practical tips to make the project’s implementation a smooth one.

Due to the level of public interest, White Island has been giving regular updates about changes out at the volcano on 1XX radio station. Hourly photos of the inner crater of the island can be viewed at www.whiteisland.co.nz.

The lake that has formed in the crater of White Island now has just under 3m before reaching the level of overflow. Landslides have also been occurring around the inner crater as well as the main crater.

Tourism Research Council issues overnight visitor forecasts

Regional tourism forecasts were recently released by the Tourism Research Council, and the number of expected overnight guests are looking good for regions along the Pacific Coast Highway. The following forecasts are for the period of 2004-2010: For the Bay of Plenty, a 48.8% jump in international overnight visitors is forecast, bringing in $249 million per year. International visitors to the Coromandel are expected to increase 48.9% with spending totaling $189 million while Eastland is predicted to welcome a 46.3% increase in international visitors with $103 million in expenditures. With a high volume of overnight visitors expected, Pacific Coast Highway regions will need to be ready to meet their needs. Customer service needs should be a high priority and pricing schedules for wholesaler commissions will need to be in place.

PCH MARKETING NEWS

Earlier this year, the Pacific Coast Highway Marketing Alliance stepped up efforts to get the word out about what the PCH has to offer. The Pacific Coast Highway’s website, www.pacificcoast.co.nz, received an upgrade in March 2005, and a range of marketing products were created. These include new touring maps and posters. More than 90,000 touring maps were distributed at airports and i- Sites all over the north island. The posters feature Cathedral Cove, White Island, Tologa Bay and the Maori Warrior on Mauao. To order one of the maps or posters, contact your nearest regional tourism office.

NEW PRODUCTS -
TRANSPORTATION

Nigel and Jocelyn Strongman are pleased to announce that the Kawau Kat will run a winter ferry service from Auckland to Coromandel Town via Orapiu, Waiheke Island, commencing Wednesday, 4th May. The Kawau Kat will run every Wednesday and Sunday through until Labour Weekend when they will start their summer timetable. For more info phone 0800 888 006. Mount Classics caters to for all transport needs – from tours and weddings to business travel and general sightseeing. Travel in style in cars ranging from Rolls Royce to Holden, all driven by experienced chauffeurs. With its “making you feel special” motto, Mount Classics provides serviceoriented, safe and reliable transport all over the north island. Visit www.mctours.co.nz or ring 07 574 1779.

NEW ACTIVITIES FOR PACIFIC COAST REGIONS

EASTLAND:

New Zealand Safari Adventures offers half and full day quad biking experiences. Just 40-minutes from Gisborne, NZSA is based on Tangihau Station, which has over 16,000 acres of green rolling hills, pockets of native bush and panoramic views. View historical Maori landmarks and sites with stunning scenery at 2000 feet. Guests can opt to stay in a magnificent bush hut in the heart of native New Zealand bush. Ring 06 867 0872

Whale Rider Tours: Since the international release of the movie Whale Rider, there has been a lot of visitor interest in Whangara, a small Maori village north of Gisborne on the East Coast (SH35). Visitors are welcome to the village through taking part in a Whale Rider Tour guided by local elder Hone Taumaunu who was also cultural advisor to the film. Ring 06 868 6139

BAY OF PLENTY:

New Zealand’s own Blokart International recently opened a world-class racing track— Blokart Heaven. Open seven days a week, weather permitting, the graveled, figure eight track can fit up to 30 blokarts. Ring 07 572 4256

The Bay of Plenty Classic Aircraft Trust recently launched its Classic Flyer/ Aircraft Museum. Located at the Tauranga Airport, the museum showcases the trust’s most prized aircraft. The museum is also home to AV Gas Café as well as a boardroom and function room overlooking some of the nation’s classic and military aircraft. Ring 07 572 4000.

COROMANDEL:

Two new boating operators are offering year-round tours of Cathedral Cove and Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine reserve operate:

Glass Bottom Boats—Mercury Bay Seafaris: View the abundant marine life through the glass bottom boat while touring the marine reserve and Cathedral Cove. Three trips run through summer and two throughout winter. Visit www.glassbottomboatwhitianga.co.nz.

Ocean Wave Tours Mercury Bay— experience an up-close and explorative journey through the marine reserve and Cathedral Cove. Three trips run on the Sea Cave Adventure in summer and two trips run on the Scenic Cruise. In winter daily departures and more on demand. Visit www.oceanwave.co.nz.

NEW PRODUCTS—ACCOMMODATION

EASTLAND:

The new Portside Hotel is superbly located on the water’s edge in Gisborne’s CBD and only 5 minutes drive from the airport. Portside Hotel provides picturesque views of the inner harbour and city centre. Accommodation includes 64 stylishly appointed guest rooms and suites. Portside Hotel opened December 2004 and has already proven to be of great benefit to the region.

BAY OF PLENTY:

The four-star Trinity Wharf hotel is expected to open at year’s end on Tauranga’s beautiful harbour, just a short stroll from city centre. Managed by Mirvac Hotels & Resorts, who run Sebel branded hotels all over Australia as well as Auckland, the 120-suite hotel complex will contain a heated pool and gymnasium.