The year 2005 will be a turning point for Taranaki tourism, as the region readies itself for 12 months of diverse action and entertainment, Venture Taranaki tourism leader Dr Dominic Moran says.
Thousands of visitors from outside the region are expected to converge on Taranaki for highlights of the year’s key events calendar, including WOMAD and two international music events in March, and November’s international triathlon.
“These events will offer Taranaki the rare chance of showcasing its assets to a wide national and international audience,” Dr Moran says. “We want every single visitor to the region this year to have a fantastic time, so that they return again and again.
“Everyone here knows that Taranaki has a fantastic community spirit and friendly disposition to visitors. It’s that ambience – and the overall success of the events - that will ultimately provide the region’s most enduring reward for this ultra-busy year.”
Dr Moran says the region could be stretched to accommodate everyone during peak times, but believes pertinent prior planning and thinking outside the square will ensure every visitor is accommodated to their satisfaction.
Alternative accommodation such as marae stays, race course motorhome ‘cities’, private homes and holiday parks will take up any slack left over by conventional accommodation providers. These kinds of accommodation alternatives have been used in the past, such as for the Long Track Speedway and Rhododendron Festivals.
For this year’s triathlon event, Venture Taranaki has liaised with the six key hotels in central New Plymouth to ensure as much accommodation as possible will be available for those heading to the region in November. Discussion is underway with Triathlon New Zealand to plan other accommodation possibilities in the region, including the use of hotels, motels and holiday parks in central and southern Taranaki.
Music-lovers attending March’s three events can utilise a New Plymouth District Council 0800 number, which then refers callers to an accommodation hotline. Marketing for the two Bowl of Brooklands concerts will be handled by the promoters, although Venture Taranaki has been involved in attracting and facilitating the Mark Knopfler concert on March 19 and the R.E.M. concert on March 26. The tourism agency is also involved in plans for the Lions tour in June, in conjunction with the New Zealand Rugby Football Union and Tourism New Zealand.
But Dr Moran says the larger events should not overshadow smaller events such as the TSB Coastal View Relays, Taranaki Wine and Food Festival and Urenui Rodeo next month, the National Motorcycle Expo, Mountain to Surf Relay and Taranaki Multi-Ethnic Extravaganza in March and Taranaki Arts Festival in July.
“Watch this spot for ongoing event attraction in the Taranaki region,” he says.
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