Media Release
16 March 2016

Tasman’s Great Taste Trail grows business opportunities

Tasman’s Great Taste Trail is providing greater opportunities for small businesses in the District, particularly those outside the main urban centres.

With cyclist numbers of 208,000 in 2015 – up 10% on 2014 – the Great Taste Trail’s increasing popularity is also creating a growing demand for amenities and services along the trail.

Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne said this demand is being seen as an opportunity by small businesses.

“Trail cyclists by their nature are generally people who do not seek the mainstream traffic routes. They are looking to experience places not normally accessible to vehicles, allowing them to get closer to the magnificent natural experience the Great Taste Trail has to offer.

“But that desire to experience our natural environment doesn’t mean they wish to stray too far from the other attractions Tasman District has to offer. The Great Taste Trail not only takes in some of the most stunning scenery, it also provides access to our wide variety of produce. With such temptations it is only natural the next small business opportunity taking hold is accommodation.

One such venture is new cabins being built on the Richmond side of Rabbit Island, next to the Rabbit Island Coffee Company stop. Land owners Jane Cunliffe and John Slotemaker have seen the growing popularity of the Trail through their daughter’s container café on site over the past couple of years.

“With the continually growing number of visitors we felt it was an opportunity too good to miss. Research showed that the cyclists don’t want to stay in a conventional motel – they would rather stay on the trail. With some of the region’s best coffee next door we believe we are providing for the new breed of tourist,” said Jane.

“The Rabbit Island coffee container quickly gained a name for itself for locals in light of the fact no such offerings are allowed on the island itself. We recognized that though locals could go home at the end of the day, trail users have to cycle away from the island to find accommodation and we thought, ‘we have the land, they are here already and it is a great place to end the day - why not provide a place to stay?’

“Such an opportunity would not have existed for us it wasn’t for the trail.”

It’s not just the food and accommodation sector that has benefited, with a number of bike rental businesses, as well as a developing sideline for shuttle companies, Mayor Kempthorne said.

“First it was the ferry, now you are also seeing large bike-carrying trailers attached to previously solely passenger delivery providers. People are getting shuttled to destinations to explore and enjoy the Trail. The Trail is being seen as a major attraction in itself and as a legitimate part of the regional tourism offering, which in turn provides a further catalyst for small business opportunities.”

© Scoop Media