World-class attractions on doorstep

A video encouraging Kiwis to holiday in Kaiko¯ ura makes a compelling argument for swapping costly overseas trips for a tikitour at home.

Tourist meccas throughout the country are looking to the domestic market for support, as no new international visitors are expected to be allowed into the country for some time, due to Covid-19.

Kaiko¯ura District Council events co-ordinator Jo York created a video to show how world-class the town’s attractions are.

‘‘I did it to show people that Kaiko¯ ura is amazing,’’ she said.

‘‘It’s well known for its whales and sea life . . . but we also offer all this other cool stuff that people globally spend thousands on a year, but [Kiwis] can actually get here for the price of fuel.’’

York said while people travelled the world to see famous attractions, they could experience much the same in their own backyard.

Comparing images of Kaiko¯ura’s peninsula with Cornwall in the UK, and the esplanades of Kaiko¯ura and Cannes in France, York found striking similarities.

And while people can’t travel to the French Alps for the foreseeable future, York points out they can get an early bird ski pass at Mt Lyford for an ‘‘awesome’’ $259.

‘‘Maybe some of the locals may have to drop their prices, which isn’t a bad thing because New Zealand was becoming known as an expensive destination.’’

York said she hoped to organise some package deals and work with operators across the Alpine Pacific Route (incorporating Waipara, Hanmer Springs and Kaiko¯ura) to attract domestic tourists to the region.

Nearby Hanmer Springs has already announced plans for a $250,000 marketing campaign aimed at bringing in visitors from neighbouring districts.

Tourism New Zealand has also launched a domestic campaign, called ‘‘Do Something New, New Zealand’’, aimed at changing New Zealanders’ attitudes to holidaying at home.