Hotel Signals New Tourism Era for Gisborne

Hotel Signals New Tourism Era for Gisborne

Gisborne, New Zealand, 9 March 2006: A new luxury four-star hotel is soon to open in Gisborne heralding the beginning of a new tourism era for the city.

Emerald Hotel opens in June and is complemented with an exciting activity and cultural sightseeing base. Gisborne’s tourism numbers are on the increase and the city is welcoming international cruise ships into its port for the first time this year, just a hint of the tourist dollars that lie ahead for the city.

The new Emerald Hotel, in the city centre overlooking the river, will bring a much needed luxurious accommodation, conference, theatre and restaurant hub to Gisborne.

“It’s very exciting for Gisborne and all the region’s operators to have a hotel of this standard built here. We have a lot to offer and aspects of the region are very unique, which tourists are going to love,” says Grant Radovanovich, Emerald Hotel sales & marketing manager.

“There is nothing like Emerald Hotel in the city and the conference market and business travellers will form a big part of our target clientele. We did a lot of research before we designed and built the hotel and we’re positive that we will fill an existing gap in the market.”

While Radovanovich says the hotel will probably be officially rated four-star, it will offer five-star service and facilities – without some of the formalities. The hotel will have 66 rooms – all either one or two bedroom apartments – as well four executive apartments and two penthouses.

For conferencing there are three rooms – which can be divided up into smaller spaces – that can seat up to 360 people, as well as an adjoining historic theatre. “The theatre will be great for private movie screenings, product launches, parties and dinner. Perfect for a group to host a private screening of the Whale Rider movie and then head up the coast to see where it was filmed,” Radovanovich says.

Gisborne’s cultural history is a key attraction for visitors to the region, an experience that Radovanovich says will be memorable. “We are the first in the world to see the sun every day, which people will want to experience, and Gisborne is also where Captain Cook first landed in New Zealand and the first meeting of the Maori and European cultures took place. Visitors and groups will also be able to experience a ‘working’ marae, not just one set up for tourists to look at like most of them are around the country,” he says.

Emerald Hotel is wholly New Zealand owned and is looking forward to distinguishing itself as a unique New Zealand owned and operated hotel. “We will be doing things a little differently than some of the bigger hotel operators in the country that’s for sure. Our focus will be on quality and a unique New Zealand experience, both in the hotel and with sightseeing around the region,” Radovanovich says.

Gisborne is easily accessed by regular daily flights into Gisborne from both Auckland and Wellington and talks are underway to improve air access into the region. The airport is capable of handling larger charter planes from either within New Zealand or across the Tasman.

ENDS

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