Decision made; time to focus on the future

NEWS RELEASE

14 November 2013

Decision made; time to focus on the future

The Government’s decision today to keep the interisland ferry terminal in Picton is great news for Marlborough tourism and the country as a whole, says Destination Marlborough General Manager Tracy Johnston.

“Tourism operators throughout the region now have certainty about the future, and can invest in their businesses knowing the vital interisland connection will remain based from Picton,” Ms Johnston says.

Delays in the Government’s decision as to whether the terminal should be moved to Clifford Bay had caused a real impact on confidence throughout the community, says Ms Johnston. She says today’s announcement enables people to get on with their lives and focus on a positive and busy summer visitor season.

“We thank the Government for recognising the impact on the local community that the uncertainty around the decision has created. We share the Government’s view that this decision is the right one – for the region and for the country,” she says.

“Bringing visitors to New Zealand through the Sounds is a unique New Zealand experience. It acts as a very special welcome and farewell for visitors to the South Island.

“Our job is now to ensure that visitors to Marlborough don’t just see that crossing as their only experience of the Sounds, and that Sounds attractions such as the Queen Charlotte Track along with the wider Marlborough region provide great reasons for them to stay longer.”

Destination Marlborough’s Chair Nigel Gould says the Government’s decision provides stimulus for Marlborough’s tourism industry to now regroup and focus on the message that Marlborough is a must-visit destination.

“Now’s the time for the industry to put this process behind us and focus on the future delivery of quality tourism experiences in Marlborough. It enables businesses to invest in their future and the region to refocus on the future delivery of tourism.

“Destination Marlborough is excited to be working with the tourism industry into 2014 with a clear message that Marlborough has a story to tell our visitors. Today’s decision by Government provides the impetus for the industry as a whole to move forward,” Mr Gould says.

Destination Marlborough is the regional tourism organisation responsible for promoting Marlborough as a visitor destination both domestically and internationally. The organisation also manages the Marlborough Convention Bureau and operates the Blenheim and Picton i-SITEs and is a partner in the Interislander i-SITE.

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