MEDIA RELEASE

24 February 2014

Lilly on tour promoting Kapiti

A 1970s Kapiti Lilliput caravan affectionately known as ‘Lilly’ has been busy visiting North Island shows and fairs as part of the Escape to Kapiti campaign promoting Kapiti as a destination.

As well as trips to Wellington, Lilly has visited the South Taranaki A&P Show in Hawera, the Royal A&P Show in Feilding and the Petone Fair. Lilly is fully equipped as a mobile i-Site with brochures for Kapiti attractions, food, accommodation and activities and is staffed by a team of Kapiti Ambassadors – enthusiastic Kapiti residents who love sharing their passion for the area, led by The Kapiti Company.

At the recent Petone Fair, thousands of people stopped to admire Lilly, chat about Kapiti and enjoy samples of Te Horo jam. Kapiti Ambassadors talked about the shopping, museums, restaurants and cafes, activities for children, great food and drink produced on the Kapiti Coast, tramping, cycling and fishing, Kapiti Island, Nga Manu, Southwards and accommodation in Kapiti – from freedom camping spots to luxury weekend retreats.

Chris Barber, Managing Director of The Kapiti Company who manages the Escape to Kapiti campaign says Lilly has proved very popular at these shows and more are planned. “In this saturated digital world, we really needed to cut through and get the message across to people living a tankful of gas away that Kapiti is a fantastic place to visit for the day or for a short break. Getting Lilly and our team who are passionate and knowledgeable about Kapiti at these shows really achieves this.”

Feedback from the public has been very positive with many saying they now plan to visit Kapiti for a short break or day trip. In South Taranaki, many Lilly visitors said they didn’t realize there was so much to see and do in Kapiti. Some even said they had no idea where Kapiti was. “We made sure they absolutely know where Kapiti is now – and why they would enjoy visiting us”, said Mr Barber.

Any Kapiti business engaged with tourism or the food and drink sector is welcome to join the Kapiti Company team at these events and benefit from the great marketing exposure it provides. Representatives from the Department of Conservation, Waimea Café and Te Nikau Forest Retreat have already been out with Lilly.

Lilly was purchased by The Kapiti Company as part of a wider campaign funded by Kapiti Coast District Council to promote Kapiti as a tourist destination with generous donations from Coastlands, Charles Fleming Retirement Village, Department of Conservation, Mitre 10 Mega and Southwards Car Museum.

For more information contact Chris Barber at The Kapiti Company.

ENDS

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