i-SITE holds own despite hard year for tourism

September 26th, 2012
[by David Armstrong]

Despite an unprecedented combination of adverse events, local tourism has kept its head above water over the past 12 months, thanks largely to the dedicated and professional workers at i-SITE.

At yesterday's AGM of the Tasman Bay Promotions Association (TBPA), i-SITE manager Lois Walker presented detailed statistics of tourist activity through the Motueka Information Centre last year. The figures are the result of careful research which has characterised Lois's management skill and her staff's attention to detail.

She said visitor numbers were down 9% on the previous year (from 76,751 to 69,505), but it was a most unusual year. "The aftermath of earthquakes saw more Cantabrians filtering north as their settlements came through, while Rugby World Cup seemed to have an almost negative impact on numbers.

"The disastrous weather events in Golden Bay and Nelson proved to be hugely punitive for many operators and the i-SITEs of the wider region, with numbers well down."

The information centre represented 129 members and 71 outside advertisers during the 2 year, giving 200 operators a vested interest in the i-SITE. This was 23 less than last year and the attrition was mainly from the accommodation sector, where Lois believes direct bookings through operator websites are becoming increasingly easy to do.

Accommodation sales were 22% less than for last year, mostly among backpackers, B & Bs, camping and self-contained accommodation, but for the largest accommodation sector, motels, sales were at a similar level to the previous year.

Water-based activities in the Abel Tasman National Park, along with the Cook Strait ferries, make up 57% of i-SITE's sales. For the year ending June 2012, kayaking (the single largest sector making up 26% of sales) was down less than 1% and Abel Tasman water activities (21% of sales for water taxis, sailing and charters) were also down less than 1%. In total the i-SITE team booked and processed 11,422 vouchers across 513 operators nationwide.

TBPA this year made submissions to Tasman District Council on the Abel Tasman Foreshore Plan and the Cycle Trail.

"Our operators would wish DoC and Council had been able to understand and better accommodate the profound difficulties caused by the new rules in the Park, but that is an ongoing matter of deep concern," she reported.

On the other hand, "Council's decision to contribute major funding to Tasman's Great Taste Trail cycle way has been a highlight to celebrate. Despite many efforts to engage tangible public support, awareness of the scale of potential benefits for the region's tourism profile is still minimal. The support is vital now to ensure the numbers come cycling through the region sooner rather than later."

TBPA chairman Chris Salt told the meeting of the difficult decisions that his board has been facing in relation to the developing need to revamp aspects of the i-SITE building, including the two poorly functioning entrances. However, repiling the entry area has recently been completed.

This year the TBPA board decided to invest in a completely remodelled website and a review of the visitor guide, which is the board's only source of revenue. On-going work around a new look for the interior of the i-SITE was also approved.

"What we will be aiming for is an integrated 'look' across the web-site, visitor guide and i-SITE building to maximise sales potential," Chris said. "The goal is to have this work all completed by July next year."

Thirty-five people attended the AGM, which is a large number among Motueka's community groups. You can download Lois's report here and Chris's report here.

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