Recap on Visitor Industry Zoom

Last Friday we had first-hand updates from key people responsible for the disaster recovery. We have some highlights here, but please contact Hadley if you would like to view the recording of the online session.

Destination Hauraki Coromandel continues to promote the region as open for business while advocating widely for greater support for businesses, marketing and roads.

• The "Welcome to our World" marketing campaign content has had 2M views so far, and while it represents a moment in time, the job of restoring visitor confidence in the region as a holiday destination will be an ongoing one. 
• The international travel trade season is starting, so we will enlist their support for our "open for business" message and to make bookings.
• Google maps change requests are ongoing and updated SH25 maps shared widely.

Len Salt, Mayor Thames-Coromandel District Council

• Happy with response from government but level of investment and timeframes are still being discussed under urgency as the “lifeblood” of our district is being cut off.
• TCDC accepting and assessing applications for Business Recovery Grants for the whole Waikato region, but most applications coming from Thames-Coromandel.
• Any information on direct impacts on businesses will go to government ministers as TCDC pushes to ensure there is local focus for the decision-making process. 

You can also see the latest TCDC update here.

For information and to apply:        Cyclone-Gabrielle-Business-Recovery-Grant

David Speirs and Cara Lauder, NZTA Waka Kotahi

• Waka Kotahi is not constrained by legislative instruments available for recovery.
• Both SH25A and SH25 are priorities (despite what we may have heard in the media), with two separate project teams fully operational.
• The real constraints are that SH25A site is still moving; even the track established for the two drilling rigs is "like working with wet plasticene". The aim is to complete the assessment by end March and decide on the solution in April. This will determine the budget required and timeframe. Crews are ready to divert to work on the project .
• 22 sites at risk on SH25, with 5 of those (including Manaia slump  and Kūaotunu overslip) being highest risk and undergoing geotech investigations.
• Private routes (including forestry) are being offered as work-arounds.
• All options (on state highways and local roads) are being assessed jointly with TCDC, including possibility of upgrading 309 Road as an east-west backup to SH25A.
• Building back better does not mean new roads everywhere around the district. It does mean remediation to make a road network that can respond more quickly, prevent closures and have more options.
• The Opoutere site is being monitoring mostly daily and the response is in hand.
• The 309 Road is a large hole, not a quick fix.
  
  Visit the dedicated Waka Kotahi SH25/SH25A project pages.

Lynda Keene, Tourism Export Council

• Recommends a strong open message to guests through all communication channels - pop-up messages on business websites, and on email signatures.
• Let guests know before they leave you to check the journey planner for current road conditions, wherever they are travelling to.

Please contact DHC with your comments and feedback.