Visitors flocking to enjoy what we have
The future looks bright if the past is anything to go by.
A big boost in tourism to the region, a near sell-out crowd for Yusuf/Cat Stevens concert, creating a community space in Marfell Park and having a budget surplus were just some of the many success stories for New
‘‘Our region is very special.’’
Kelvin Wright
Plymouth District
(NPDC) last year.
The Lonely Planet had named Taranaki as one of the top two regions in the world to visit in 2017 and this helped to bring thousands of extra international travellers to the province.
Figures from Stats NZ for the year ending October 2017 show a massive 25.3 per cent rise in international guest nights in Taranaki. Overall guest nights in the region were up 4.5 per cent as well.
Lonely Planet had highlighted the NPDC-run Len Lye Centre, Puke Ariki and the TSB Festival of Lights as key attractions worth seeing as well Council as the Pouakai Crossing and Surf Highway 45.
‘‘It’s fantastic to see so many international and national visitors discovering what we all know so well – that our region is very special,’’ said NPDC Chief Operating Officer Kelvin Wright.
NPDC’s Venture Taranaki is building on the momentum created by Lonely Planet with its My Local Secret campaign to bring in more international and Kiwi visitors. Notable success stories for the district included the near sell-out of the TSB Bowl of Brooklands by Yusuf/Cat Stevens in December.