For immediate release

5 May 2013

Summer visits to tourist attractions rise nearly 17% in
Bay of Plenty

Tauranga also named destination for the Coasts and Ports Conference 2015

The number of visitors to key tourist attractions in the Bay of Plenty is up 16.8% year on year for the six months to the end of April 2013.

The figures released today in the Tourism Bay of Plenty Attraction Monitor measure total visitors to eight local attractions and activities, including White Island Tours, the Comvita Visitors Centre and Waimarino Adventure Park.

Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager Rhys Arrowsmith says the encouraging figures align with the increase of guest nights which jumped by almost 20% in March year on year and were up 86,000 compared to the first quarter of 2012.*

“While we will always be known for our stunning beaches, from Waihi beach to Ohope beach, it has been encouraging to see that our visitors are active while in the region, exploring everything we have to offer, which is plenty of course.

“The tourism sector has enjoyed a buoyant summer season. With the continued growth the cruise sector and new initiatives announced last week to promote the region, there is a feeling of optimism amongst tourist operators.”

Total attraction visits from domestic tourists rose 17.3% overall, with big increases in numbers from Gisborne/Hawkes Bay (40.9%), Auckland/Northland (31.2%), Rotorua (30.5%) and from Tauranga residents themselves (23.6%). International visits were up 5.8%.

Meanwhile, Tourism Bay of Plenty is delighted to announce that Tauranga has been confirmed as the venue for the Coasts and Ports Conference 2015. The conference is the pre-eminent forum in the Australasian region for all disciplines relating to coasts and ports.

Up to 400 delegates, the majority of who will travel from Australia, are expected to attend the event, which Arrowsmith described as a great win for the region.

“This is more good news for the Bay of Plenty,” Arrowsmith says. “It will provide a boost to commercial bed night numbers, restaurants and give an opportunity to show an international audience the plentiful attractions of the bay.”

Chris Battershill, Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chair of Coastal Science, says Tauranga is a natural choice to hold the Coasts and Ports Conference as it boasts “a unique environment, with variegated flora and fauna and we’re all looking forward to showcasing this abundance of natural beauty to attendees from Australia and around New Zealand.”

ENDS

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