Rotorua offers Aussies insight into indigenous tourism

The strength of Maori tourism in Rotorua has attracted a delegation of Australian operators looking to build up cultural tourism in their state.
Maori in Tourism Rotorua's Mereheni Meads said it was great recognition for what the sector had achieved here that other organisations were coming to Rotorua to learn about cultural tourism.
"They wanted to go somewhere to learn from what other operators were doing and Rotorua was the obvious choice.
"We created an itinerary that not only enabled them to experience the products, but also to meet the operators and talk to them businessperson to businessperson."
She said it was not about helping competitors, so much as creating more reasons for people to come to this part of the world.
"A lot of people come down here to visit Australia and New Zealand together, so helping them is also helping us."
Sixteen operators and representatives from Queensland Tourism and the state's Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation leave Rotorua today after a week in the city.
The delegation was led by former Rotorua man Ray Morrison, who now works for the Queensland Government as the director of its Gold Coast business and industry services.
He told The Daily Post Queensland's tourism industry had been hit hard by the floods earlier this year and was looking at how to improve its offering.
"Tourism has been particularly tough after the floods and, coupled with the high dollar, it is facing huge challenges."
One area identified as a possible point of difference for Queensland, beyond the sun, sand and surf, was indigenous tourism and, when he heard Tourism Queensland was looking for a place to visit to learn from operators already working in this field, Morrison got in touch with his former colleagues at Maori in Tourism Rotorua.
"The operators' eyes have really
been opened by what they have seen here. It has also been a valuable
networking opportunity."
Tourism Queensland's John Sereni said the visit had definitely provided the inspiration and innovation the group had been looking for.
"We wanted to get operators out of their own businesses, get them together and immerse them in best practice businesses."
Delegates have packed a lot into their itinerary and Sereni said they would now be taking the ideas they picked up in Rotorua back to Queensland to create new indigenous products and help inspire others.
Rotorua Deputy Mayor and Tourism New Zealand kaupapa director Trevor Maxwell welcomed the delegation with a civic ceremony at Rotorua District Council on Tuesday morning.
"They came here because they wanted to learn from Rotorua and from Maori. It is a great opportunity for us to learn from each other and it is great for Rotorua."