Taupo ready for Lions’ tour
June will mark the beginning of the 2017 DHL British and Irish Lions Tour and Taupo is already in preparation mode for the influx of visitors.
Around 2000 campervans were expected to make their way through Taupo as Lions Tour supporters follow games down from Auckland to Wellington, although the number of campervans booked so far, is low compared to the 2005 tour.
Tourism Holdings Ltd operate campervans for Britz, Maui and Mighty around New Zealand.
General manager for the company, Kate Meldrum, said so far they only have hundreds of campervans hired out but it is still early days.
Although an influx of campervans to Taupo is expected during the tour period, no extra designated areas have been set up for them.
‘‘Those visitors in selfcontained campervans who wish to freedom camp as they support their team will be welcome to stay in freedom camping areas around the district in accordance with the Freedom Camping Act,’’ Taupo District Council business and technology manager, John Ridd said.
‘‘Camping grounds are prepared for the increase in campervans during the tour.’’
Lake Taupo Top 10 Holiday Resort owner, Lloyd Lusty, said because council was allowing freedom camping for campervans, he doesn’t know if they will get many bookings.
So far, they have no bookings for that time period but that hasn’t halted other plans during the tour.
‘‘We have our new pool and will have all the matches on the big screen so people can sit in the pool and watch,’’ he said.
‘‘We have also made all our sites available for that period which is something we haven’t done before.’’
Office manager for Great Lake Holiday park, Maura Sheridan, said they do have some campervan bookings for the tour period and their plan is to keep their standard prices going.
‘‘Hopefully we will have some of the lowest prices around,’’ she said.
Ridd added that council have been working in partnership with Destination Great Lake Taupo and Towncentre Taupo to make sure the supporters will have a good time in the Taupo district..