Takapuna Welcomes Cruise Ship Visitors to Its Northern Shores

Takapuna, 11 January 2016. An initiative by Takapuna Beach Business Association to expand its visitor horizons has seen the beachside region on Auckland’s North Shore welcoming cruise visitors to its shores since the season began in November.

Takapuna Beach Business Association Chief Executive, Terry Holt says he is always looking for innovative ways to share the Takapuna experience and so approaching leading inbound tour operator, ID New Zealand with the concept of including day visits to Takapuna as part of the shore excursion offerings for visiting cruise ships seemed like a new experience for visitors as well as delivering an additional retail market opportunity for Takapuna Beach businesses.

Terry drew on his extensive background in tourism to present the unique offerings of Takapuna to this international market and believes that the appeal lay in sharing a real slice of New Zealand in a short space of time. “A visit to Takapuna naturally includes a drive over the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge which in itself is a key attraction and not something everyone can do in a day visit to Auckland. Once they are on our shores, they are immersed in an authentic and quite local experience where they can soak up the beach vibe, enjoy a relaxed lunch and take in some great shopping, much of which is uniquely New Zealand.”

The Takapuna Beach experience offered by ID New Zealand starts at the Auckland War Memorial Museum then takes in the harbour bridge and delivers visitors to Takapuna for lunch and a few hours to indulge in some shopping or stroll the beach and surrounds.

Whilst Terry says that specific economic benefits cannot be accurately measured at the moment, anecdotal evidence from members supports the initiative and associated benefits of cruise visitors, if even for a few hours.

The season will continue until March with the Takapuna inclusion, which has already seen around 200 visitors enjoying some time shoreside.

ends

© Scoop Media