Central Park goes live!

Central Park has launched a complete renovation of its website – just in time for the winter ski season and New Zealand’s premier travel trade show, TRENZ.

Central Park encompasses the entire central North Island region, including Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo, Waitomo, Whakatane, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne, Mt Ruapehu and everywhere in between.

Rotorua International Airport marketing manager, Rhys Arrowsmith, says for the first time, the website presents the area through activity categories – rather than split up into individual regions. In addition, it now offers the ability for visitors to book online, a key selling point for independent Australian travellers.

“When visitors are looking to come to this central part of New Zealand, they are increasingly choosing their travel based on their interests, like fishing, mountain biking or skiing for example, rather than looking at specific regions. Then they plan their itineraries based around the activities they can do and events they can go to.”

Rotorua’s Trans Tasman flights direct from Sydney prompted the creation of the over-arching Central Park marketing brand. The original Central Park website was launched soon after the first Trans Tasman flights, but it largely served as an information portal about each area.

“Now we not only have a completely new design and layout, but for the first time, Australian travellers can plan, research and book their holiday online, either through wholesale deals, packages or self-build itineraries.

“They can do everything from their computer, laptop or even online on their cellphone, without needing to even pick up the phone! We know this is both compelling and necessary for the free and independent traveller.

“By presenting a “borderless” view, we are offering the complete picture of what the Central Park region has to offer.”

Mr Arrowsmith says the new website is unique in a number of different ways, but one of its most appealing features is its ability to “talk” directly to the consumer.

“There is a wide collection of videos, images and information about activities, as well as a social media component which means they can stay up to date with the latest events, activities and campaigns.

“We’ll continue to update and add to these devices as we make new clips and launch different campaigns.”

Mr Arrowsmith says the new site is also more accessible for operators to be involved and to promote themselves to the Australian market.

“The new site offers a booking service through “Bookit”. Most of our operators are already independently registered through this service, so as a result it is free to be listed and included on the Central Park site.”

He says the site also offers benefits for wholesalers, Regional Tourism Operators and other partners such as Air New Zealand as it gives those organisations greater exposure to travellers who prefer to book online.

Mr Arrowsmith says Central Park provides another platform to support individual regional activities.
For further information, check out www.centralparknz.com