Build on district tourism opportunities
The Waikato region is being encouraged to grow its tourism capabilities and reporter looks at how that could be achieved, for our series
Heartland Waikato is in desperate need of a capital injection if it is to take advantage of the current tourism boom.
Experiences associated with the Hauraki Rail Trail, more three-to-five star accommodation, better transport services linking tourist hot spots, more events and better experiences are the tip of the iceberg for Jason Dawson, who heads the Waikato’s regional tourism organisation.
Dawson’s Hamilton and Waikato Tourism is charged with ensuring the region capitalises on tourism opportunities. He has hit the ground running in his first five months in the job, building on the work of those who have gone before him.
The first on the list, an audit of the region’s events as Dawson wants to know ‘‘what can be grown from just a community event to something larger’’.
But it’s just not about events large or niche, the Waikato as a region has to look to it’s infrastructure to drive the visitor experience which requires investment.
‘‘The Waikato needs to capitalise on international visitors preference to start and end their New Zealand experience in our region,’’ he said.
Dawson acknowledges the great things happening in the districts like Waipa, ‘‘but we can and will do a lot better’’, he said.
Hobbiton is by far the jewel in the tourism crown for the Waikato. But for Dawson success is also measured by how each community embraced its unique location.
Communities had to learn how provide a gateway into their best experiences.
The Waipa is performing well, attracting events for sports tourism using Lake Karapiro, the Avantidrome, Mystery Creek and Maungatautari Reserve but there is still room in the district’s events calender for more opportunities.
Cambridge has started to address its accommodation shortages with a number of complexes currently under construction. But there still needs to be more accommodation if it is to take advantage of its opportunities.
Being on Hamilton’s doorstep should be seen as a positive as Cambridge has so much to offer with its niche shopping and cafes.