Wairarapa tourism promoters are rejoicing at a second major accommodation deal struck between the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Solway Park and an Australian travel company.
Less than a year after securing a deal with operator Grand Pacific Tours, which has brought about six of 60 coaches of tourists to the hotel
so far this tourism season, the Copthorne this week secured a four-year contract with Adelaide-based Kirra Tours.
Copthorne general manager Jerry Crump said the Kirra deal would each season bring to Wairarapa 17 tours, each one booking up 28 rooms, which at the high season would almost bring the hotel to full capacity.
The tours would include a chocolate tasting at the hotel, hosted by Greytown company Schoc chocolate, and visitors would also "undoubtedly spend some time in Martinborough, too", Mr Crump said.
"It's a pretty huge deal really. We've been chasing it for a couple of years."
He was rapt with feedback from tourists who had visited with Grand Pacific Tours, which stop over in Greytown en-route to Wellington.
Destination Wairarapa marketing manager Barb Hyde said she had spent time with the six regular coach captains to familiarise them with the region, Greytown particularly.
"The passengers are very interested in Greytown's history and love the wooden buildings which are so different to their own architecture. Many of the passengers have called the town a 'gem' and likened it in character to Arrowtown in Central Otago, which is terrific assessment of the town."
She was just as delighted with the new Kirra Tours coup.
"To be have Kirra Tours change their itinerary to stay at the Copthorne Solway Park Hotel and Resort confirms what an asset the refurbished hotel is to the region. We hoped that having gained one Australian tour series that further companies would change their plans, and this has been the case.
"The combination of the quality of the hotel, the travel route down the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail and the attractions the Wairarapa has to offer has worked powerfully."
