Newspaper Article – Promotion promised

Promotion Promised

CENTRAL Hawke’s Bay Unlimited’ is the name of a new group aiming to promote the Central Hawke’s Bay region.

Judy Macdonald is the spokesperson of the group and the person who initiated the concept, after seeing that Central Hawke’s Bay was lagging behind other areas in terms of attracting visitors.

Judy organised a large group of people who all wanted to promote the area as a destination and attract visitors as well as bringing extra economic advantages to the district.

The feeling was, that unless something was done the area would be left behind and she and others in the group felt that the potential for the Central Hawke’s Bay region was unlimited.

The idea is to promote all attractions, accommodation, places to eat and retailers in the area.

Mrs Macdonald stresses that the group is a community initiative. However the need for promotion has already been suggested in the draft of the Central Hawke’s Bay District Strategy-Towards 2020.

Most members of the group thought that an information centre was a necessity, and the group hopes to see this come to fruition.

Paddy McCloskey owner of Rivers Edge Holiday Park and also a member of Central Hawke’s Bay Unlimited said that his camping ground had at least one overseas visitor each night, and this highlighted the need for some sort of information centre with an emphasis on what Central Hawke’s Bay had to offer.”

The meeting held on Tuesday was the third meeting of the group who now, with an aim and name in place, hope to move forward with objectives, and establish short and long term goals.

Karen Campbell, a partner in Chattels, said as a member of the group she could see the whole area benefiting economically from promotion such as this.

John Wise who works for a section of the Department of Labour advising communities in development, said that Napier has found that for every visitor dollar spent it is re-spent four times before leaving the area. This highlights the potential for the area, said Judy.

Judy and her husband Donald have in the last two years opened their home for bed and breakfast accommodation.

The people who stay are from all sorts of backgrounds.

“Overseas visitors stay several times a week, and all are very interesting,” said Judy.

“Knowing how many people want to stay in the area without any promotion makes me believe in the opportunities that are available,” she said.

Anybody who wishes to contribute should contact Judy at Mangatarata Station, Waipukurau”

Photo caption – Judy Macdonald in her garden