WEST COAST TOURISM INDUSTRY UPDATE
Kia ora,
Some say that autumn is the best season for visiting the West Coast ... The days are slowly getting shorter, which isn’t a bad thing—it just means more chances to catch epic sunsets!
Here is our newest update, to find all the key information, be sure to read the full newsletter, oh, & don’t forget to join our private Facebook group for more updates and to connect with other tourism businesses.
Media
Digital Marketing Opportunities for Your Business
Get your business featured in our marketing campaigns, website and social media content.
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Familiarisation Trips
Past famils:
Upcoming Famils:
Trade
Marketing Your Local Business
Based on the West Coast, own a business? Come learn with marketing coach and strategist Rachel Klaver in this free marketing training.
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Content Marketing Accelerator - Digital marketing strategy and training
Learn how to Create content for your website, email and social media that Attracts, Engages and Converts.
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West Coast Image Library
To assist you with your brochures and other materials, we are pleased to provide you with some free assets that you may use to promote the West Coast.
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We are here to help, so please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need support becoming trade ready.
Please take a moment to update us with what’s happening on your end too. We need to know, experience, and understand your business and product offering so we can help connect your products with the world. Pictures, information, factsheets, and product updates are all very useful and can be included in our Trade E-Newsletter which gets distributed to agents world-wide.
Events
news
Regional Tourism Boost Fund Campaigns
You might be aware the Minister of Tourism announced a $3m Regional Tourism Boost Fund a few weeks ago. The single purpose of this contestable fund is to drive international visitation (and spending) to our region over the shoulder and winter months, specifically between 1 April – 30 September 2025. There are a number of specific criteria to access this money including the fact that proposals must be a collaboration with multiple regions. Therefore, Development West Coast have submitted two regional bids to access some of this funding. One, alongside central South Island regions as well as a separate proposal with the other Top of the South (TOTS) regions. Given the short lead time for conversion, these campaigns are targeting Australian consumers, and both provide opportunities for you and your business to be involved.
Development West Coast has been advised that the two submissions were accepted by MBIE - great news!
Rare White Weka Spotted at Gentle Annie Seaside Accommodation & Camping Ground
We have some of the rarest birds in New Zealand, including this white weka recently spotted at Gentle Annie campground on the West Coast.
In a lucky twist, the weka narrowly escaped a close call with a lawnmower when Jesse Paley-Atkins' dad spotted it just in time while mowing the lawn!
Nature always finds a way to surprise us out here. Keep your eyes peeled—you never know what rare wildlife you might see!
Kawatiri Coastal Trail Completion
The official Kawatiri Coastal Trail opening was held on Saturday 22 March with many locals from the community there in celebration. The newly constructed, grade 2 family friendly trail is an extraordinary West Coast adventure that journeys between the mountains to the east and the coastline to the west, with views towards the majestic Paparoa Mountain Range.
Comprising of eight gentle sections, the diverse landscapes combine to create a memorable journey across 40 km.
Exciting New Ambassador Kororā Encounter to Open in Franz Josef, South Westland!
(photo is an artist’s impression of the West Coast Penguin Encounter)
The award-winning West Coast Wildlife Centre is thrilled to announce the upcoming construction of a multimillion-dollar, groundbreaking extension to the existing facility in Franz Josef, for injured little blue penguins that cannot be released back into the wild. The extension will be officially launched to the general public on Saturday, October 4, 2025.
This includes collaborative efforts to help save the critically endangered rowi and Haast tokoeka kiwi in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio. Between 2010 and 2022 the West Coast Wildlife Centre hatched and incubated over 353 rowi kiwi and 141 Haast tokoeka chicks and today has a primary focus on kiwi advocacy through sharing these conservation success stories with visitors from all around the world.
New Zealand Tourism Awards Entries now Open!
Entries are now open for the 2025 New Zealand Tourism Awards, providing an exciting opportunity to highlight and celebrate the tourism industry’s individual and business successes.
This year there are 14 awards. Three acknowledge individuals who are outstanding performers in the industry, and eleven awards recognise businesses which display excellence, industry alignment and are living the values of the Tourism Sustainability Commitment (TSC). The winners will be announced at the New Zealand Tourism Awards Dinner being held on Wednesday 29 October, following Tourism Summit Aotearoa.
Why enter the Awards?
Entering the awards is an excellent opportunity to promote the great mahi of your business and staff, and showcase what makes you outstanding in your field.
Previous finalists and winners have enjoyed greater public exposure, recognition from their peers, access to top talent and other profile-raising opportunities.
See here for more on the benefits of entering the awards.
Date: Wednesday 29 October 2025
Location: Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre
West Coast showcased at RTNZ IBO event
Auckland buzzed with tourism energy this March, and Andrew and Maia were right in the thick of it! They took the West Coast's tourism offerings to the RTNZ IBO Trade Show, connecting with a remarkable 118 inbound agents (IBO's).
Over two action-packed days, with 30 dedicated appointment streams each day, they shared the latest and greatest from our region – from iconic experiences to fresh, innovative products. The event wasn't just about appointments; it was a fantastic chance to build relationships and spark excitement for the West Coast's off-peak season.
Keep in Touch
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