Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Video | Agriculture | Confidence | Economy | Energy | Employment | Finance | Media | Property | RBNZ | Science | SOEs | Tax | Technology | Telecoms | Tourism | Transport | Search

 

A Porsche For A Day: One Kiwi Tourism Operator’s Creative Take On Snaffling The Domestic Market

Until early March, Felix Borenstein, the owner-manager of South Island luxury fly fishing retreat Owen River Lodge, was quietly confident that 2020-21 would be another bumper season.

With back-to-back wins at the New Zealand Tourism Awards and a whopping 50% return booking rate, his confidence seemed well-placed.

Then the coronavirus struck. Like many other operators catering to an affluent overseas market, Felix watched as his bookings, and his business, tanked.

When the borders remaining closed month after month, Felix realised he’d have to look closer to home if he wanted his lodge to survive. This would be a challenge; although Owen River Lodge enjoyed an international reputation for providing a world-class visitor experience, it was virtually unknown in New Zealand.

“I had to think outside the box,” he says. “There are a lot of other operators in the same situation all competing for the same guests and the big drawcards for an overseas market, like our natural landscapes, don’t necessarily have the same pulling power at home—most Kiwis have seen their own country.

“So I tried to come up with something different and that’s when I hit on the idea of offering a Porsche for a day.”

Felix’s Porsche Boxster S is available for a day’s touring as part of a three-night, all-inclusive package.

“The Boxster is one of those iconic luxury sports cars,” he says. “It was featured in the Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies and in the TV show, Billions.

“It’s just a beautiful ride and I’d really love to share it with our Kiwi guests in the coming season.”

Felix says he’s definitely up to the challenge of attracting a new market to his lodge and will continue to find innovative ways to introduce his award-winning, luxury visitor experience to discerning Kiwis.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Business Headlines | Sci-Tech Headlines

 
GenPro: General Practices Begin Issuing Clause 14 Notices

GenPro has been copied into a rising number of Clause 14 notices issued since the NZNO lodged its Primary Practice Pay Equity Claim against General Practice employers in December 2023.More

SPADA: Screen Industry Unites For Streaming Platform Regulation & Intellectual Property Protections

In an unprecedented international collaboration, representatives of screen producing organisations from around the world have released a joint statement.More

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.