Residents from Nanjing in China may already have an idea of what Rotorua is like. But next week they'll experience the real thing.
The 38 residents are visiting as part of the deal they signed when they bought homes in the Rotorua-themed Nanjing Rotorua Town.
Arriving on
Monday, they will be treated to a powhiri and mayoral welcome before embarking on a two-day itinerary which will include Maori culture, geothermal activity, afternoon tea at a Rotorua home and the chance to see New Zealand wildlife up close.
"It will be a chance to enjoy Rotorua hospitality at its best," Destination Rotorua Tourism Marketing manager Don Gunn said.
The concept is expected to bring about 5000 tourists to Rotorua over the next few years.
Nanjing Rotorua Town will eventually have 2000 residential properties as well as a kindergarten, school, shopping centres and a special Rotorua business centre.
It is expected to accommodate about 6000 people.
The subdivision is valued at about NZ$100 million and will be spread over 30ha with the town centre building modelled on Rotorua's Convention Centre and district council building.
Mr Gunn said stage one had sold out and interest for stage two was strong.
"We are expecting a steady stream of groups to be travelling over the next few months. There will be another Rotorua delegation travelling to Nanjing for the launch of stage two later this year."
The Nanjing area, 300km from Shanghai, is famous as the ancient capital of China with a legacy of 10 dynasties and a population of about 6.4 million.
