10 March 2006
Hotel Signals New Tourism Era for Gisborne
Gisborne, New Zealand, 9 March 2006: A new luxury four-star hotel is soon to open in Gisborne heralding the beginning of
a new tourism era for the city.
Emerald Hotel opens in June and is complemented with an exciting activity and cultural sightseeing base. Gisborne’s
tourism numbers are on the increase and the city is welcoming international cruise ships into its port for the first
time this year, just a hint of the tourist dollars that lie ahead for the city.
The new Emerald Hotel, in the city centre overlooking the river, marina and sea, will bring a much needed luxurious
accommodation, conference, theatre and restaurant hub to Gisborne.
“It’s very exciting for Gisborne and all the region’s operators to have a hotel of this standard built here. We have a
lot to offer and aspects of the region are very unique, which tourists are going to love,” says Grant Radovanovich,
Emerald Hotel sales & marketing manager.
“There is nothing like Emerald Hotel in the city and the conference market and business travellers will form a big part
of our target clientele. We did a lot of research before we designed and built the hotel and we’re positive that we will
fill an existing gap in the market.”
While Radovanovich says the hotel will probably be officially rated four-star, it will offer five-star service and
facilities – without some of the formalities. The hotel will have 62 rooms – studio, executive and twin executive suites
– as well four executive apartments and two penthouses.
For conferencing there are three rooms – which can be opened up to one larger room – that can seat up to 250 people, as
well as an adjoining historic theatre. “The theatre will be great for private movie screenings, product launches,
parties and dinner. Perfect for a group to host a private screening of the Whale Rider movie and then head up the coast
to see where it was filmed,” Radovanovich says.
Gisborne’s cultural history is a key attraction for visitors to the region, an experience that Radovanovich says will be
memorable. “We are the first in the world to see the sun every day, which people will want to experience, and Gisborne
is also where Captain Cook first landed in New Zealand and the first meeting of the Maori and European cultures took
place. Visitors and groups will also be able to experience a true marae, not just one set up for tourists to look at,
like many of them around the country,” he says.
Emerald Hotel is wholly New Zealand owned and is looking forward to distinguishing itself as a unique New Zealand owned
and operated hotel. “We will be doing things a little differently than some of the bigger hotel operators in the country
that’s for sure. Our focus will be on quality and a unique New Zealand experience, both in the hotel and with
sightseeing around the region,” Radovanovich says.
Gisborne is easily accessed by regular daily flights into Gisborne from both Auckland and Wellington and talks are
underway to improve air access into the region. The airport is capable of handling larger charter planes from either
within New Zealand or across the Tasman.
ENDS