Rotorua looks to eco-tourism to drive growth

Rotorua looks to eco-tourism to drive growth
By admin


Eco-tourism represents a major part of Rotorua’s strategy to reinvent itself in a bid to maintain its popularity as a tourism destination.

The region, often described as the birthplace of tourism in New Zealand, is known for its geothermal attractions along with its extensive range of activities. It attracts around 3.2 million visitors per year.

“The attractions are what fills your days, but the reason people come to Rotorua is for the lakes, and because we’re the number one mountain biking destination in the southern hemisphere,” Destination Rotorua trade marketing manager Patrick Dault told Travel Today.

However, he acknowledged that a number of other destinations within New Zealand also boast natural and adventure activities, with areas such as Queenstown also popular because of their ski slopes. But he insisted that Rorotua’s attractions make it a strong rival.

“Yes, if you go to Queenstown you have got a beautiful lake and great mountains, but here you can go mountain biking, take a scenic flight to White Island and experience the geothermal which really is unique to Rotorua,” he said.

“In Queenstown they have a winter which is great because you can ski there, but here you can waterski 365 days a year.

Dault also highlighted Rotorua’s waterfall, describing it as the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world thanks to its seven metre drop.

But Rotorua will continue to develop its key activities to ensure it remains competitive, he continued.

“We’re know for geothermal and for being multicultural but for us it is about developing some of the other things,” he said.

Eco-tourism forms a strong part of that strategy with attractions such as Canopy Tours among the new additions.

“People want tourism with a purpose.”

Latest News

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]