Holiday Park “Cycle Hub” Launched

Holiday Park “Cycle Hub” Launched

A “Cycle Hub” accreditation programme to help holiday parks attract international and Kiwi cyclists has been launched by the Holiday Accommodation Parks Association New Zealand (HAPNZ).

“We see holiday parks as a great fit for the cycle touring market as we provide a range of accommodation and plenty of space for guests,” says HAPNZ Chief Executive Fergus Brown.

“We are targeting visitors who are enjoying the new cycle trails that have been developed all over the country and also domestic and international visitors who are mountain bikers, road cyclists and families with children who take their bikes on holiday.”

Mr Brown says holiday parks offer accommodation and facilities in 305 locations from Waitaki Landing in the far north to Invercargill in the south, at many of New Zealand’s most scenic locations.

To be accredited as a Cycle Hub, holiday parks will have to meet simple criteria reflecting the basic requirements of cyclists.

Parks will have to:

Ø Provide secure covered cycle storage

Ø Provide a cycle cleaning area

Ø Provide information & maps on local cycling options

Ø Provide access to cycle technician

Some New Zealand holiday parks already provide a range of services to cyclists, including bike rentals and local tour information. This initiative is aimed at encouraging association members to provide a greater range of services and facilities for visitors.

“The new cycle trails will increase our popularity as a cycle destination and the Cycle Hub accreditation programme will help add to the visitor experience for cyclists,” said Tourism New Zealand General Manager Marketing Communications Justin Watson.

Tourism Industry Association New Zealand Communications Manager Ann-Marie Johnson welcomed the move.

“It’s a great example of how businesses can leverage off the new cycle trails. It will improve the bottom lines of the holiday parks that become accredited Cycle Hubs, and it will give international and domestic travellers a quality accommodation option that can also take care of their cycling needs.”

New Zealand Cycleway market research carried out in September 2009 showed that international cycle visitors spend 1.5 times as much per trip compared with the average international visitor, stay twice as long and visit twice as many destinations.

© Scoop Media