Voice of the visitor guides new walk partnership

The Department of Conservation (DOC) and Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) have joined forces to promote a range of short and day walks.

Research to better understand exactly what kinds of walks Kiwis and international visitors are looking for will kick off soon. Once finalised, the research results will be used along with iwi, community and stakeholder feedback to help inform what existing walks might be further promoted. These will be in areas that both meet visitor needs and are ready and willing to host more visitors.

“We know there is demand for a range of shorter or less challenging walking options to go alongside our Great Walks and help alleviate pressures at high use sites. The aim is to cater for a wider pool of visitors and enable them to engage with and appreciate New Zealand’s natural environment,” says DOC Director Tourism, Recreation and Heritage, Gavin Walker.

“Our partnership with TNZ aligns well with DOC’s work to put visitors at the heart of the natural experiences we offer. With a better understanding of what people want, we can promote a range of walks that meet different needs such as time, level of fitness and skill.”

New Zealand’s landscapes and scenery are a key attraction for international visitors. Over one-third of New Zealand, including our highly visited national parks, is managed by DOC.

“Enhancing the visitor experience, sharing expertise and partnering is a key part of our new strategy and our work with DOC is that in action, Rene de Monchy,” Director Trade, PR and Major Events.

“Tourism New Zealand is well versed at conducting visitor research and has a good understanding of what visitors are after. It’s great to be able to share our expertise and work with DOC to promote some walks that will really cater to people’s needs and wants.”

In line with the Government’s Tourism Strategy, the project also works to extend the visitor season and encourage visitors into regions keen to benefit from increased tourism.

Over the next few months research will be conducted with kiwis and international visitors to determine what kind of experiences people are looking for.

ENDS

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