Support The Coromandel "Lucky Loop" promo this weekend

You may notice signs along SH25 promoting the activity this coming Anzac long weekend. From tomorrow, Friday, until Tuesday the 25^th of April any vehicle that drives SH25 Coromandel Loop and gets snapped randomly on one of the cameras in secret locations could be in the draw to win locally sponsored prizes for the driver. Details on the promotion can be found at luckyloop.co.nz.

As this is an opportunity that has come out of the generosity and major effort of Hahei locals, who offered to include the whole region in the activity, the prizes are from Hahei businesses.  That doesn't mean that you can't be involved. Please share the promotion to your channels and let your friends and families know they can visit luckyloop.co.nz to participate. You will find the promotion on our Facebook and Instagram channels, if you haven't seen it already.

We’ll have other opportunities in the future to promote businesses with prize offerings and famils. As always if you’ve got something worth telling the world about, we’d love to help share it.

Why domestic promotion is necessary - the story in numbers

Visitor spend data for March 2023* indicates that Hauraki Coromandel was the only region in New Zealand where visitor spend was lower than in March 2022.  Some regions were up by more than 150%, whereas our region was down 2% in spite of day visitor numbers increasing 16% on March 2022.  This was mainly due to the welcome arrival of around 50,000 international day visitors.

The decline in the total value of in-person electronic card transactions by domestic visitors at this time of year continues to have a severe and ongoing effect on all our town economies, and is the impetus behind the Lucky Loop promotion. Total Hauraki Coromandel domestic visitor spend over the past three months is 35% lower than the same period last year.  Coromandel-Colville, Tairua, Southern Mercury Bay and Whitianga were most negatively impacted at around -47%.

Nevertheless, Beach Hop was an important contributor of domestic visitor spend with March domestic visitor spend in Whangamatā up 15.6% on March 2022 (the only town that was up). 

*Marketiew data

Where Kiwis Holiday - Australian campaign phase

We had planned marketing campaign activity to target potential visitors living in east coast Australia which we were able to modify and delay until the third week in March. Print pieces ran in the Sydney Morning Herald and Australian Financial Review Life & leisure, plus this immersive digital piece.

The Kiwi destination good for your soul

Te Waka Business Sentiment Survey 2023

Te Waka advocates on behalf of businesses in the Waikato region and your input helps shape their strategic focus. This survey should take about 15 minutes to complete and all responses are confidential (no personal details will be identified).

Please complete the Business Sentiment Survey here 

Roading update from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

There are about 50 significant slips along SH25 that are monitored for movement, and there are a number of sites that will flood when river levels get too high.  This work is underway to keep the network open and functioning:

• Regular monitoring and geotechnical inspections of known slip sites
• Clearing drains and culverts, removal of vegetation
• Monitoring traffic and truck volumes
• Monitoring travel times to identify and act on disruptions.
• Modifying destination signage to help visitors find the best way
• SH25a preferred design option due in May
• SH25 Opoutere-McBeth underslip repair, periodic closures, with road fully open to heavy and light vehicles by the end of May
• SH25 Ruamahanga embankment stabilisation, stop/go during the day, due for completion at the end of May
• SH25 Whangamatā to Waihī permanent repair commencing late May/early June with some periodic closures

New Zealand Tourism Awards

Have you considered entering your business, or accepting nomination yourself? These annual awards can help raise the profile of your operation, enhance staff morale and provide recognition for your achievements from your industry peers around the country. Last year there were 115 entrants across 12 categories, 3 of which were for individuals.

Typically applications open in June for about a month. If you would like some help preparing an application, Trish May of May Marketing is an experienced industry consultant we work with who can help you describe your achievements and make a sound case.