Casino, red-light district unlikely for Hurunui
Anyone thinking of establishing a casino or a brothel is unlikely to get support from the Hurunui Tourism Board as it looks to shift its focus from marketing to managing the region as a destination.
The move could potentially attract more visitors to the district through developing the region’s assets.
The Draft Hurunui District Tourism Strategy 2017-2022 has been created to ensure Hurunui Tourism makes the most of New Zealand’s rapidly growing tourism sector.
With tourism already bringing in $150 million to the Hurunui economy annually, it is hoped the new strategy could help existing and potential local operators benefit further.
Following a series of workshops, the Hurunui Tourism Board has changed tack, with a shift from destination marketing to destination management.
The latter incorporates both marketing and development of the district through improving and supporting existing products, as well as working to attract new products and investment, and growing the number of events.
The Hurunui Tourism Board wants to place more importance on potential development reflecting and enhancing the district’s values, as well as having the ability to attract visitors.
Hanmer Springs Thermal Resort and Spa general manager Graeme Abbot said the strategy was quite a change from where things had been.
The board would fully support ventures which aligned with the region, such as with a focus on nature and the outdoors, but not if at odds with the region’s values.
‘‘If it was something like a casino, for example, the board would be very hesitant to get behind it,’’ he said.
‘‘If it was something like a casino, for example, the board would be very hesitant to get behind it.’’
The region also needed more export-ready products, Abbot said.
‘‘There is quite a range of products in Hanmer Springs, but not a lot which are export-ready or commissionable to drive the international market, and that’s the opportunity in front of us.’’
Community feedback is being sought on the draft strategy, which can be found on the council’s website and Facebook page.
Submissions close at 5pm on Thursday, April 27.