Expo Cattledrome expanding

Press, 27 January 1986, Page 6

Expo Cattledrome expanding

Special correspondent Queenstown

An expanding tourist market in New Zealand has presented the need for multilingual tourist facilities and Queenstown’s Expo Cattledrome is meeting that demand by offering its show in a choice of six languages. Cattledrome is one of Queenstown’s top five tourist attractions and after 11 years the time had come to do away with photo-copied language sheets for tourists, said the managing director Mr Bill Tapley. The system which cost >25,000 to design and install, allows each spectator to dial the show in Japanese, Mandarin, French, German or Spanish and listen to the

commentary through an individual headphone. The show is also broadcast in English through a public address system and can be switched to any one language for audiences of one nationality. Four months research by Mr Graeme Clephone, of Compalc Videoin, has produced one of the biggest multilingual systems in the South Island, with a capacity of eight to nine languages and eventually catering for up to 150 people. About a third of New Zealand’s overseas visitors

did not use English as their first language and Cattledrome had noticed a marked increase in patronage especially from Asian tour groups, in anticipation of the new system, to be completed in mid-February. “We are approaching our millionth person through Cattledrome, with in excess of 100,000 patrons last year alone, so it obviously had to be done,” Mr Tapley said.

In addition the company has spent $lO,OOO improving its building and has introduced a new breed of cattle to the stage. Just to keep

the Australian tourists happy, Cattledrome now features a young Murray Grey, bringing a total of nine beef cattle and three dairy cows into its show. Three new stalls, including a special training stall, seating for another 50 people and an increased retail area are all part of the face lift. A small Japanese garden will be installed in the front gardens. At present Cattledrome is investigating the production of an updated film on New Zealand’s beef and dairy

industry for its show. This could cost $lOO,OOO. Other alternatives are being looked at and Mr Tapley said the company had consulted Mr Don Hayman, of the Tourist and Publicity Department’s head office, ana the National Film Unit Improving viewing windows overlooking the Shootover Gorge and a courtyard for picnickers has proved popular with passing motorists. The company’s retail section was now kept open all day to meet demands and Mr Tapley believed tourists were now “shopping round” more'