Opinion: Tough competition for tourist dollar in Rotorua

Aerial view of Hamurana Springs. Photo/File

There's no doubting Rotorua is an awesome place for visitors. But as anyone who has hosted out-of-town guests before will know, many of those attractions we are known for don't come cheap.

By the time a family has gone up the gondola and down the luge, checked out some culture at one our Maori Villages and thrown themselves down a hill in a big plastic ball the holiday budget is likely to be pretty stretched - and that's not to mention rafting or farm shows, ziplining, hot pools or any of the other myriad of adventures.

For most Kiwi families it comes down to choosing just one or two of these things and saving the others for 'next time'.

So it's great - for both visitors and locals - that Rotorua is also blessed with an array of things to do that cost little or nothing at all.

My young nieces were happy as Larry spending hours at Lake Tarawera and Tikitapu (Blue Lake) last time they visited. No cost, apart from the icecreams on the way home.

My friend and I had a great catch up while strolling through the Redwoods. My dad enjoys a mountain bike ride through the forest when he comes to stay. Both free.

Not long after I moved to Rotorua a friend took me to Hamurana Springs, a pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon. It was also free.

But no longer.

As we report today, Ngati Rangiwewehi has revealed the new charges to visit the recreational reserve.

It's a management fee for maintenance and upkeep of the reserve including the platforms, walkways, bridges, amenities, carparks and conservation efforts.

The very fact of an entrance fee has angered some locals and led to fierce discussion on social media. It's not surprising there has been backlash - for some it's hard to accept that something they have been doing free all their life suddenly comes with a price tag.

Personally, I have no opposition to the concept of a fee. The iwi believes it's necessary in order for it to fulfil its role as kaitiaki and has pointed out it's no different to other tourism ventures that operate on reserve land.

But I must admit to being taken aback when I saw the amount, which was more than I had imagined. $18 for adults seems pretty steep for a 15-minute walk.

There's tough competition in Rotorua for the visitor dollar. Whether those visitors will be willing to fork out $49 for the family to walk at Hamurana Springs remains to be seen.

And despite the promise of a locals' card - the details of which we have been unable to confirm - it's possible many locals may well cross Hamurana Springs off the list of free and cheap places to take their guests. And that would be a shame.