Attractions keep up with the TRENZ

Squeezing through a 30m crack in the earth, riding Harley Davidsons around the lakes and re-development of the Tarawera Landing are among new offerings for tourists to Rotorua.

International travel agents in Rotorua for this year's Tourism Rendezvous New Zealand (TRENZ) expo at the Energy Events Centre were yesterday introduced to some of Rotorua's newest tourist attractions and developments.

The new "products" as they are known in the tourism industry, were profiled by Destination Rotorua Tourism and Marketing general manager Don Gunn.

Finalist in this year's Tourism Industry Awards for best small tourist operator, New Zealand Riverjet, launched its new attraction called The Squeeze. Customers get into a waist deep stream and walk through a 30m long gap into a natural hot pool after their jet boat ride on the Waikato River.

Riverjet managing director Nick Berryman said The Squeeze was the only experience of its kind in New Zealand and possibly the world.

"In just 18 months we have done some pretty amazing stuff. Getting into the finals of the tourism awards has also given us credibility and we are up there with the best of them," Mr Berryman said.

Hell's Gate and Wai Ora Spa is set to open a five-star lakeside resort in the old Manary Lodge on the shores of Lake Rotorua at Holdens Bay.

Group general manager for the Wai Ora brand Jason Baker said it would have 10 deluxe suites and 20 studio apartments and be ready to open early July.

Clearwater Cruises Ltd has bought and will renovate the Landing Cafe at Lake Tarawera which it hopes will become the gateway to the lake.

Clearwater Cruises director Paul Connell said the Landing Cafe would be back in action by August with a new general store on site and more activities for tourists and locals.

"We will be giving people more options during their time at The Landing by offering paddle boat cruises, guided kayaking tours or just relaxing with a wine," he said.

Wild and Free Harley Tours opened in Rotorua during the summer, offering guided tours of Rotorua's lakes on the back of a motorbike.

Tours run from one-and-a-half to five hours and tourists can design their own adventure.

Wild and Free marketing manager Diane van der Drift said the lakes were something special and to see them on a Harley was even better.

"We felt that Rotorua needed something different and a guided tour of the lakes on an iconic Harley Davidson was perfect," she said.

More than 1200 exhibitors, media and travel agents are in Rotorua this week for TRENZ.