New Guide Helps Explain Wellington’s Wine Trail Signs

Still wondering about the Wine Trail signs that have appeared around the Wellington waterfront? A just-released guide gives full details about the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail, a touring route that Wellington is proud to be part of.

Late last year Wellingtonians spotted new signs popping up, bearing a grape symbol and the words Classic New Zealand Wine Trail. Some scratched their heads, wondering if Oriental Parade had suddenly gained new vineyards.

The new Classic New Zealand Wine Trail Guide helps answer some of these questions. The Trail is a self-drive route for international visitors, which stretches through the five regions of Hawke’s Bay, Tararua, Wairarapa, Wellington and Marlborough. The Wellington signs give visitors directional guidance from the Wairarapa and State Highway 2, through the city, to points of departure such as the interisland ferries and Wellington airport.

“The Classic New Zealand Wine Trail is extremely important for Wellington, in terms of our international visitor marketing,” says Positively Wellington Tourism CEO Tim Cossar. “Wellington sits right in the middle of the touring route, linking Hawke’s Bay and Martinborough to Marlborough. Wellington may not be a wine region in itself, but it is a centre for gourmet excellence and has a great fit within the overall Trail.”

The Classic New Zealand Wine Trail is a similar concept to international touring routes such as South Africa’s Garden Route, California’s Pacific Coast Highway, and France’s Champagne Route. While the route is well-brochured by wholesale agents in markets such as the UK and USA, the signs and guide take it to a new level.

The signs give the Trail a visible presence in Wellington, while the Guide gives international visitors targeted information about the city, including tips about tourism attractions and not-to-be-missed gourmet experiences.

“It’s our goal that all international visitors spend at least two nights in Wellington, as part of their New Zealand experience,” says Tim. “If the latest developments in the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail bring another 5,000 international visitors to Wellington for two nights each year, that would equate to approximately $2 million in additional new spend each year. From the positive feedback we’ve had from offshore travel wholesalers, this number certainly appears possible.”

Wellingtonians interested in grabbing a copy of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail Guide can find it at the Wellington i-SITE Visitor Centre, in the Civic Square on the corner of Victoria and Wakefield Streets.

ENDS

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