Hawke’s Bay Tourism and Central Hawke’s Bay partnership

Media Release
Thursday 8th December

Hawke’s Bay Tourism and Central Hawke’s Bay partnership a roaring success

Another rise in visitor spend for Central Hawke’s Bay has earned praise from Central Hawke’s Bay Deputy Mayor Ian Sharp at a recent council meeting, calling the decision for Central Hawke’s Bay to partner with Hawke’s Bay Tourism for its visitor strategy, a brave and wise choice.

Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor Alex Walker echoed that praise for the project, as well as congratulating the team on the recent programme of events promoted as “The Spring Fling” and Councillor and Central Hawke’s Bay Promotions Board Representative Kelly Annand wanted to also recognise the work of the Promotions Board as a voluntary commitment showing great leadership within the community.

With tourism growth up 4.4% across the Hawke’s Bay region and Central Hawke’s Bay Visitor Spend at $26 million year end September 2016 the results, presented to the Central Hawke’s Bay District Council last week, were met by Councillors congratulating Central Hawke’s Bay Promotions on their decision to establish and formalise the relationship.

Central Hawke’s Bay Promotions, a community Board who is mandated and funded by the Central Hawke’s Bay District Council, established the relationship and Tourism Coordinator role under Hawke’s Bay Tourism appointing Trudy Hales in August 2014 to support tourism operators in the district. The overall objectives are to grow visitor spend, ensure Central Hawke’s Bay is represented in the regions marketing and establish key annual visitor events.

Outcomes so far have been the creation of ‘The Little Easy Bike Ride’ and ‘The Spring Fling’. Both were established to attract visitors into the region and have proved successful with 77% of participants at ‘The Little Easy Bike Ride’ on Good Friday from out of the district.

Additional initiatives to showcase Central Hawke’s Bay tourism offerings include the development of ‘The Limestone Loop’ driving route and the ‘Destination Porangahau’ brochure. Significant national attention has also been harnessed for Backpaddock Lakes and Central Hawke’s Bay’s historic homesteads with all these projects generating growth in visitor spend and numbers.

Annie Dundas, General Manager of Hawke’s Bay Tourism is thrilled with the results saying: “The relationship Hawke’s Bay Tourism has with Central Hawke’s Bay is the strongest it’s ever been and we are seeing fantastic results for the district ”.

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