Wellington wants a piece of the campervan market
27 November 2015
Wellington wants a piece of the half a billion campervan market
At yesterday’s WCC
Environment committee it was agreed that the Council develop
a regional camping strategy to provide much needed camping
options for visitors to Wellington given the popularity of
Wellington as a camping destination.
“The campervan market is worth $500m a year to New Zealand. Numbers are projected to grow and Wellington is keen to get a bigger slice of this pie”, says Councillor Iona Pannett, Chair, Environment committee.
The Committee agreed that there is a need to provide paid campgrounds and freedom camping sites in Wellington and that further work needs to be done on options for potential sites.
“Council has taken on board the feedback from the Owhiro Bay and wider community that we need to consider a broader range of options and identify long-term solutions for camping in Wellington. Although Happy Valley Park may still be part of a future mix of fee paying managed camping ground options, it was rejected as a freedom camping site.”
“We need to balance the needs of locals with campers and provide a solution that is acceptable to as many people as possible”, she says.
A report will be made to the Environment committee in April 2016 covering several options for low to moderate cost accommodation options for self-drive tourists including campgrounds for a fee, freedom camping sites and private options throughout the Wellington region. The report will also evaluate the potential for peer to peer apps and websites as options for campers and locals to use private land for tents and vehicles.
The Council will work with Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency, Tourism Industry Association of New Zealand, Holiday Accommodation Parks Association of New Zealand, New Zealand Motorcaravan Association and neighbouring councils to develop the strategy.
ends