Media Release
Wednesday 11 June 2008
For immediate release

Wellington’s Next World-Class Visitor Attraction Unveiled

The unveiling of plans for Karori Sanctuary’s Visitor and Education Centre marks the next step in the realisation of this world-class tourism attraction for Wellington.

Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast, Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive George Hickton and Positively Wellington Tourism CEO Tim Cossar will gather with Wellington’s tourism industry today, to jointly launch a scale model and promotional DVD of the Centre.

It will be the first time the local tourism industry and public get a sneak preview of how the attraction will look, when it opens in late 2009.

“Positively Wellington Tourism has been a strong supporter of Karori Sanctuary’s Visitor and Education Centre, at every step of the way,” says Positively Wellington Tourism CEO Tim Cossar.

“The Centre will add real weight to Wellington’s visitor offer, giving visitors another compelling reason to visit the capital and spend more time here,” says Tim.

Research indicates that in the first three years of the Centre’s operation, visitors to the Karori Sanctuary will increase almost three-fold from 70,000 to nearly 200,000.

“The Centre’s potential impact on Wellington’s international visitor market is significant. If 30,000 international visitors spent another night here because of the Karori Sanctuary, that would mean another $4.5 million per year being spent in Wellington.”

Positively Wellington Tourism has worked closely with Karori Sanctuary on the designs and plans for the Visitor and Education Centre. A key focus has been how the Centre will deliver a world-class visitor experience, through its design elements and layout.

“We have been excited by what we’ve seen, throughout the planning process,” says Tim. “The Centre will offer a unique visitor experience with its combination of nature, story-telling and interactive technology. I’m confident the Wellington tourism industry and public will be as excited about this Centre as we are.”

ENDS

Wellington Tourism Facts:

• Tourism is worth in excess of $1.4 billion to the Wellington regional economy each year.
• The capital enjoys 4.3 million international visitor nights per year.
• International visitors contribute $536 million to the Wellington economy each year.

Wellington’s top three international visitor markets are, in order of size: Australia, UK and USA.

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