Real West workshops to boost visitor experience and local pride

The Real West – Stories, Service, Spirit programme is a four-hour, hands-on workshop for people working in visitor-facing roles. The brand-new initiative provides practical training to lift visitor care, community pride and cultivate unity within the visitor sector across the Coast.

Developed from the West Coast Destination Management Plan (DMP) and the regional ‘Untamed Natural Wilderness’ identity, it weaves together local stories, cultural values and practical service know-how to enrich visitor experiences and community pride. Designed with input from mana whenua and the Department of Conservation, and informed by University of Otago research, the programme will deliver immediate benefits for both staff and operators.

DWC Destination and Tourism Manager Andrew Aitken said the workshops would give people greater confidence to share the Coast’s unique identity.

“When visitors arrive here, their first impression often comes from the people they meet, whether it’s someone working in a café, behind a hotel desk, or even a mechanic,” he said. “Real West helps our frontline teams recognise and share what makes the Coast distinctive, our wilderness, our culture, and our character, and explain how those elements underpin the visitor experience.”

The workshops will be facilitated by Zane Smith of Vation Limited alongside members of the DWC team.

Aitken said the programme would deliver benefits well beyond tourism. “This isn’t just about visitors, it’s about community pride too,” he said. “By equipping locals with the tools to share our stories, we’re strengthening the way we see ourselves and how we present the Coast to the world.”

The free sessions will be held in Franz Josef on Monday 20 October, Fox Glacier on Tuesday 21 October, Hokitika on Wednesday 22 October, Greymouth on Thursday 23 October, and Westport on Tuesday 28 October. All workshops run for four hours, with catering provided.