West Coast Tourism Industry Update

Kia ora,

It is nearing the end of 2024, the busy season is upon us, and Christmas is just around the corner. On behalf of the Development West Coast Tourism Team, we would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and happy holidays. We hope 2025 brings you positivity, success and cherished moments.

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Join our private Facebook group for more updates and to connect with other tourism businesses:

West Coast Tourism Businesses Facebook group

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Canterbury and West Coast ITO Show Case

Development West Coast recently travelled to Auckland showcasing the regions diverse offerings. Precision Helicopters, The National Kiwi Centre, Hokitika Beachfront, Heli Services, Franz Josef Glacier Guides, Pounamu Pathways and Maruia River Retreat also travelled to the city of sails for the event. 125 agents attended, Pacific Destinations networked extensively, meeting with a total of 43 out of the 51 operators!

Cheeky Kiwi

Starting 1 November 2024, Cheeky Kiwi Travel are launching a new daily tour route connecting Queenstown and Christchurch, via the West Coast. These tours make Cheeky Kiwi the only operator offering this scenic route in small groups, responding to the rising demand for intimate, personalised travel experiences. Travellers also have the option to include the world-renowned TranzAlpine train between Christchurch and Greymouth.

For more information please see https://www.cheekykiwitravel.com/tour-destinations/west-coast/

Cycle Journeys

Cycle Journeys has announced that their new Westport Depot will open in January 2025, in preparation for the opening of the Kawatiri Coastal Trail at the same time. CEO Greg Cayford says they "are delighted to partner with Kawatiri Trail Trust" the trail is a great addition to the trails on the West Coast and helps promote the regions reputation as a cycle mecca. Currently Cycle Journeys has depots in Greymouth and Hokitika, connecting the Westland and Grey District to the cycle trails.

Cycle Journeys has also purchased Go Tracks, the Reefton based shuttle operator, stating "this was an important piece of the puzzle to giving Nelson clients access to the West Coast". "With our depots in Nelson and Westport and additional transportation vehicles, we’re able to provide the infrastructure support to grow the shuttle business, servicing both the Kawatiri Trail and the Old Ghost Road.”

West Coast Tourism Sector Shines at Leading Light Business Excellence Awards

The tourism sector of the West Coast has once again shone brightly at the 8th Development West Coast (DWC) Leading Light Business Excellence Awards, held on October 18 at Shantytown.

Glacier Country Helicopters took out the top spot in the Gallagher Insurance Medium Enterprise Category Award, which recognizes excellence and innovation for companies with 6 to 15 staff.

Franz Josef Glacier Guides received the ACC Employer of the Year Award, acknowledging the company's commitment to employee welfare, training, and safety.

NEW FREE WEBINARS: Lunch ‘n Learn

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, Your Journey to Trade Readiness, is a series of three workshops that will focus on supporting operators to become Trade Ready.

Recordings of the workshops will be made available on our websites if you’re unable to attend.

These events will be held on Tuesday 5th, 12th, and 19th of November 2024, from 12:30pm-2:00pm. See here for more information.

Media

Trade

TRENZ 2025

TRENZ 2025 applications are now open, this year the event is being held in Rotorua, which is renowned for its rich Māori culture, world-class spa and wellness experiences, otherworldly geothermal landscapes, and incredible backyard of lush forests and sparkling lakes. Seller applications close on November 21, to register your interest please do so here.

We hope to see you at TRENZ 2025!

TOURISM PRODUCT UPDATES

We want to hear more from you, so we’ve created a platform called ‘Tourism Product Updates’.

The Tourism Product Updates aim to provide a platform for tourism operators on the West Coast of New Zealand to effectively communicate and update the regional tourism organisation and economic development agency about new developments, product updates, and increase general awareness for their tourism products.

Got something to share? Book your 30 minute in-person or online session with us today - Calendly Events Development West Coast

Procedure – Tourism Product Update

Familiarisation Trips

Past Famils:

Events

Keep in Touch

Our Tourism team:

Andrew Aitken, Destination & Tourism Manager

Taylor Tian, Tourism - China Market

Maia Peart-Anderson, Trade and Marketing Executive

Lucy Nilson, Tourism & Events Executive (maternity cover)

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.

Trade Toolkit