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Instead of foreign tourists, Hawke’s Bay tourism chiefs expect visitors to the capital to fill the void once NZ reaches Alert Level 1.
Like many tourist spots, the region is grappling with keeping tourism afloat when international travel is likely to remain limited for months, if not years, in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
About a quarter of the region’s tourism spending comes from international tourists, but the rest comes from domestic visitors from Auckland, Wellington and Manawatū.
Hawke’s Bay Tourism (HBT) has made a tactical decision to focus on attracting visitors from the southern parts of the North Island once domestic service resumes instead of Auckland.
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Brook sabin
Hawke’s Bay’s wine industry, Art Deco, bikeways, and rides attract thousands each year.
The organization presented its strategy at a meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council on Wednesday. HBT President George Hickton said tourism was one of the biggest economic losers in the post-Covid-19 world.
Hickton said Auckland would be a major focus for many tour operators, including Taupo, Rotorua, Hamilton, Tauranga and Northland, as they had more than a million people to target.
“We’re not going to go that way, we’re actually going to go south, we’re going to Wellington,” said Hickton.
“Indeed, we are probably the best option for Wellingtons to travel north, as traveling to the South Island will not be easy.”
CHILD CAPTAIN
Hawke’s Bay is targeting Wellingtons to come to the region on Tier 1.
Hickton said Wellington had always been part of a broader tourism plan and said the city was “in a unique position” to see Hawke’s Bay as a number one vacation option.
HBT CEO Saxton described it as a Hawke “Baycation” where Wellingtonians could select from a number of packages depending on their interests.
“We are in the business of bringing people to Hawke’s Bay and showing them a really wonderful time in this amazing region, but operating under Tier 4 and Tier 3 today means we can’t do that,” Saxton said. Things.
“We can’t hold our world-class events. We can’t enjoy long lunches in the sun, tours showcasing Napier’s art deco architecture, or traveling through Cape Kidnappers to the gannets. Our hotels are closed and our motels are open but empty .
Saxton said they would work with local operators and business partners to develop the packages, from outdoor entertainment, food and wine, rural and Art Deco.
Marketing adviser Kim Thorp said Hawke’s Bay would use the campaign to personally target Wellington, opening up the ‘southern borders’ so people can travel north and enjoy new activities.
“We’re basically appealing to Wellington saying that Hawke’s Bay has a winter break that you thought you couldn’t have,” Thorp said.
HBT hoped to launch the campaign once all national coronavirus restrictions were lifted.
