Venture Timaru Destination Management Plan - Community
Feedback Survey

Venture Timaru has prepared the Destination Management Plan (DMP) to support the future growth and development of the Timaru District’s visitor economy. This plan has been developed adhering to the Government’s Destination Management Guidelines and following extensive engagement with partners and stakeholders, including Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua. This survey seeks to gain your input and feedback on the draft plan.

Question Title

* 1. Planning for the future should not be limited to domestic tourism, an international proposition should also be developed. See page 15.

Agree

Disagree

Comment

Question Title

* 2. With a determination to “build back better”, sustainability and “slow tourism” should be at the heart of any growth. See page 16

Agree

Disagree

Comment

Question Title

* 3. The plan recommends leveraging off our existing strengths. See page 16.
These existing areas of strength were identified as;

Attractive setting and rich culture and heritage

Established arts culture and heritage offerings

Easy access to outdoors and active lifestyle opportunities.

Agree

Disagree

Suggest other existing strengths for the Timaru District

Question Title

* 4. There are opportunities for growth in the domestic tourism market by;
Extending the stay of business visitors, as well as attracting them back with their families to explore the District
Leveraging the District's central location and ability to host sporting events of increasing scale and duration
Creating better experiences across key market segments

Agree

Disagree

Comment

Question Title

* 5. The plan identifies that events provide further opportunities to grow the visitor economy. While there has already been success in recent events steps need to be taken to make the District more event ready. See page 17.

Agree

Disagree

Comment

Question Title

* 6. Feedback has suggested Timaru District lacks any true hero experiences (these are experiences which are special or unique and specifically attract visitors to the region).

Agree

Disagree

Question Title

* 7. The plan states that potential hero experiences do exist, (see page 18/19). Please tick that you agree any or all of the following activities could be classed as hero experiences for the Timaru District.

Te Ana Maori Rock Art

Caroline Bay

Timaru CBD

Geraldine (on the international visitor routes)

Comment or suggest other potential hero experiences not listed above

Question Title

* 8. Table 9 in the plan (see page 22) provides a summary of the opportunities and challenges for the District as a destination. Please tick which you think are the 3 most important OPPORTUNITIES.

Strong domestic visitation supported by access to a range of free and affordable experiences and activities and affordable accommodation options.

Opportunity for slow tourism and ability to offer a quintessentially kiwi experience to domestic and international visitors.

Centrally located within South Island with easy access to outdoor activities including those across the wider South Canterbury area.

Strengths in primary sector and food production present opportunities to offer more on farm experiences and high-quality food and beverage experiences.

Geraldine is located on the inland scenic route and has an established proposition for international visitors and a growing arts, craft and food offering.

Opportunity to enhance the visibility of the Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre as a unique experience for visitors and one which highlights and respects tangata whenua.

Historic urban environment, architecture and planned investment in infrastructure to support future growth, including investment in Timaru CBD, the Theatre Royal, Heritage Hub, the Art Gallery and Stadium.

Access to the outdoors, parks, reserves and scenic domains spread throughout the district including Caroline Bay, Peel Forest and Rangitata George.

Fewer challenges to the sectors social licence than other parts of the South Island and an opportunity to embed a destination management approach in future activity.

Established and growing portfolio of sporting, arts and culture, and food related events and opportunities to scale these in response to proven demand.

Comment

Question Title

* 9. Table 9 in the plan (see page 22) provides a summary of the opportunities and challenges for the District as a destination. Please tick which you think are the 3 most important CHALLENGES.

Reliance on domestic visitors and failure to capitalise on previous growth of New Zealand’s international tourism sector.

Limited range of unique visitor experiences and shortage of commissionable visitor products that would help establish greater visibility in international trade markets.

Lack of true hero experiences that help position the district as a destination in its own right.

Competition from surrounding destinations and wider South Island.

Reliance on day trippers and lack of overnight visitors as well as short length of stays.

Shortage of locally specific insights on visitor perceptions and satisfaction with the Timaru District as a destination.

No clear or unified destination identity for the district which can be used to drive messaging and increase awareness.

Lack of a four star centrally located hotel limits district’s ability to attract more business visitors and events, or leisure visitors seeking higher quality accommodation.

Increasing shortage of skilled staff to support the district’s visitor economy and strong competition for labour across the local labour market.

Need for improved and unified signage strategy as well as enhanced wayfinding and improved provision of visitor information.

Comment

Venture Timaru Destination Management Plan - Community Feedback Survey

Question Title

* 1. Planning for the future should not be limited to domestic tourism, an international proposition should also be developed. See page 15.

Question Title

* 2. With a determination to “build back better”, sustainability and “slow tourism” should be at the heart of any growth. See page 16

Question Title

* 3. The plan recommends leveraging off our existing strengths. See page 16.These existing areas of strength were identified as; Attractive setting and rich culture and heritage Established arts culture and heritage offerings Easy access to outdoors and active lifestyle opportunities.

Question Title

Question Title

* 5. The plan identifies that events provide further opportunities to grow the visitor economy. While there has already been success in recent events steps need to be taken to make the District more event ready. See page 17.

Question Title

* 6. Feedback has suggested Timaru District lacks any true hero experiences (these are experiences which are special or unique and specifically attract visitors to the region).

Question Title

* 7. The plan states that potential hero experiences do exist, (see page 18/19). Please tick that you agree any or all of the following activities could be classed as hero experiences for the Timaru District.

Question Title

* 8. Table 9 in the plan (see page 22) provides a summary of the opportunities and challenges for the District as a destination. Please tick which you think are the 3 most important OPPORTUNITIES.

Question Title

* 9. Table 9 in the plan (see page 22) provides a summary of the opportunities and challenges for the District as a destination. Please tick which you think are the 3 most important CHALLENGES.

Question Title

* 10. Any further comments

Venture Timaru Destination Management Plan - Community
Feedback Survey

* 3. The plan recommends leveraging off our existing strengths. See page 16.
These existing areas of strength were identified as;

Attractive setting and rich culture and heritage

Established arts culture and heritage offerings

Easy access to outdoors and active lifestyle opportunities.