Turangi visitor strategy outlines unlimited opportunities

A long term plan to attract and retain visitors to Turangi-Tongariro area has received the full support of the Community Board

The comprehensive strategy has been prepared by the Turangi-Tongariro Strategy Taskforce Group. Destination Marketing Manager, Scott Pearson outlined a number of proposed initiatives to the Board.

An amphitheatre and a kinetic fountain, which could be themed around volcanic and heritage features, were two of the new ideas discussed. Some other initiatives are already well underway such as the Autumn Colours Festival and the Tongariro River Trails, with the strategy aiming to support these initiatives. Mr Pearson said, “the strategy brings a range of different activities together to paint a picture of how the area can attract more visitors by providing ‘must see’ activities which will ensure visitors seek out the area and plan to stay more than one day.”

“This area has such a wealth of history and authentic Maori culture which is accompanied by lakes, mountains, rivers, geothermal areas and diverse natural flora and fauna.” He said “we currently have one of the country’s premier attractions with the Tongariro Alpine Crossing but there is so much more to offer, there really are unlimited opportunities here in the Turangi Tongariro area,” he said.

Mr Pearson said the next step is to go back to the community and let them know how the plan was progressing and get their feedback and buy-in for the vision and ideas put forward. “If we get buy-in from the community we can start to look at how and when we can fund some of these initiatives, we’re also very open to new suggestions.”

The Community Board expressed their support and urged Mr Pearson to get any work that could be started underway immediately and to make provision for the larger unfunded projects in the upcoming Annual Plan and ten year plan processes when Council undergoes formal consultation with the community and set out its future budget.