WEST COAST TOURISM INDUSTRY UPDATE
Kia ora,
Clearly, from what we’ve seen and heard around the region, the West Coast has been the place to be this summer! Endless sunshine, back-to-back bookings, ‘no vacancy’ and divine food experiences!
Here’s a re-cap of what’s to come for the final months of Summer, 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.
Learn more
Social Media Insights November, December & January
@westcoastnewzealand social media insights
Learn moreFamiliarisation Trips
Upcoming Famils:
Trade
Work with Tourism New Zealand
Opportunities for the tourism industry
TRENZ 2025
TRENZ is not just another tradeshow—it’s the must-do event for any New Zealand tourism business serious about connecting with international markets. With over 270 buyers attending from all around the world and New Zealand, TRENZ offers a platform to build meaningful, revenue-driving relationships that can propel your business into the international spotlight. Held in Rotorua from 6-8 May 2025.
Seller applications are now closed. If you have any questions, please email Lara Thomas.
Webpage for Restaurants on the West Coast
A common question that we get asked is ‘Where can I take my group for dinner on the West Coast?’ In a nutshell, we have created a 'one-stop-shop' for travel agents to use naming all the restaurants in our region that cater for groups/trade.
If you would like your business featured on our 'Discover The Flavours of The West Coast' webpage, please email Lara Thomas with your interest.
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.
Learn more
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
Development West Coast Tourism Team Updates
Development West Coast Tourism is pleased to announce some recent changes within its team:
Return of Lara Thomas: Lara has returned from maternity leave early and has resumed her role as Tourism & Events Executive, effective January 2025.
Lucy Nilson appointed Communications Officer: Following the departure of Noora Tuikkanen, Lucy Nilson, who successfully covered Lara's maternity leave, has been appointed as the new Digital Marketing and Communications Officer for Development West Coast.
We are delighted to welcome Lara back to the team and congratulate Lucy on her well-deserved appointment.
For any enquiries, please contact:
Lara Thomas, Tourism & Events Executive
Lucy Nilson, Digital Marketing and Communications Officer
Tourism Operator Update - February 2025
Development West Coast invites you to join the Tourism Team for the first tourism operator quarterly update of 2025. This virtual update is designed to keep you informed about the latest developments and trends in our region.
This update will cover:
- Updates on the latest tourism trends
- Hear what is happening in our region
- Upcoming events and new initiatives
- We also have a guest speaker confirmed. Renee Goodsell, GM Tomahawk Tourism Marketing will present on how your business can benefit from the growing global ‘Coolcation’ trend throughout the off-peak and winter months
This is a valuable opportunity to stay connected and informed. We look forward to you joining us.
Lunch ‘N Learn Webinars – Your Journey to Trade Readiness
The Lunch ‘n Learn workshops are a collaboration between six central South Island RTOs: Development West Coast, Destination Kaikōura, ChristchurchNZ, Venture Timaru, Mackenzie Tourism & Tourism Waitaki.
This series of capability workshops aims to equip operators with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in today’s competitive tourism landscape.
The first webinar series held in November 2024, Your Journey to Trade Readiness, was a series of three workshops that focused on supporting operators to become Trade Ready. To view each live recording session, click here.
New Tourism & Hospitality Minister Announced
DWC warmly welcomes the Hon Louise Upston to the Tourism and Hospitality portfolio.
TIA says "the tourism industry has huge potential, we're excited to get to work with the new Minister, and also other Minsters now holding portfolios that intersect with tourism. These include the new Minister for the South Island, James Meager, and the Hon Simon Watts in his capacity as Minister for Local Government".
West Coast is the place to be
Sunshine, soaring visitor numbers, new attractions, and a surge in spending have tourism operators on the West Coast basking in a "bumper season”.
With much of the South Island grappling with gloomy weather, the coast has been "the place to be" for both domestic and international travellers.
Recent data from Worldline shows the region leading the country in consumer spending growth for December 2024 — up 4.2%, while the rest of New Zealand saw a slight decline of 0.7%.
Welcoming Originair to Westport
Originair has officially commenced services connecting Westport and Wellington from 3 January. Originair’s Customer Service Manager said the airline will offer services to and from Westport six days a week, providing more than 11,200 seats annually. In the year to June, total tourism expenditure in the district rose 14.6% from $82 million to $94 million, this secure connection with Wellington will help strengthen the visitor market as tourism in the district continues to grow.
Paparoa Experience - A Hidden World Awaits
Heading to the famous Punakaiki Pancake Rocks? Make sure you check out the new Paparoa Experience, located inside the Punangairi Visitor Centre. The Punangairi Visitor Centre, owned by Ngāti Waewae, houses the Paparoa Experience, a café, retail space, conference centre, and a Department of Conservation visitor centre.
The Paparoa Experience blends Māori culture with history and geology, captivating visitors by offering an immersive insight into the history of Paparoa National Park.
Crafted by Gibson International, the experience uses innovative technology to deliver an extraordinary encounter for visitors. The Paparoa Experience invites guests to get up-close and personal with unique local stories and larger-than-life landscapes.
Step inside to connect with the history and traditions of Mana Whenua (local iwi) Ngāti Waewae, the creation of pounamu, and the dramatic tale of Tamaahua and his legendary tekateka. Interact with the people, plants, and animals of Paparoa and Punakaiki, while uncovering the secrets of Te Tai.
Te Tai Poutini / West Coast Photo Competition 2025
Get snapping when you are out and about on the West Coast of the South Island this summer!
Submit your photos of any heritage place on the New Zealand Heritage List/ Rārangi Kōrero, then see your photos displayed at the Hokitika Museum. The winner will be announced at an event held at the Hokitika Museum.
Competition opens: 6 January 2025
Competition closes: 28 February 2025
Winners announced at Hokitika Museum event: 15 March 2025
Photo exhibition at Hokitika Museum: 15 - 31 March 2025
Great prizes include...
- Two return adult tickets on the TranzAlpine world-famous scenic train, courtesy of Great Journeys New Zealand.
- Three nights of hut accommodation for two people on the Paparoa Track, courtesy of the Department of Conservation,
- A family pass to the Pounamu Pathway experience in Greymouth, courtesy of Tohu Whenua.
Keep in Touch
Our Tourism team:
