King Country tourism

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 290, 13 June 1989, Page 8 (Supplement)

King Country tourism

There was a demand for more facilities in parks, but at the same time many felt there was already too much commercial development and overcrowding. "People don't want tearooms, they want something more natural which offers them just the basic facilities. People are wanting a natural experience, not a developed one," she said. Other major findings of the survey showed that Maniapoto attracted a higher income bracket of visitors, many of whom were looking for a natural experience and good visitor displays (43 per cent). Major visitor activities included day trips, photography, fishing and looking at plants, the survey found. Asked about the Waikato Region as a whole, more than half agreed that more facilities were needed while 23 per

cent disagreed. Asked if there was too much commercial development in national parks and reserves, 33 per cent agreed and 36 per cent disagreed. Asked if the parks were overcrowded, 28 per cent agreed while 42 per cent disagreed. Asked if there was too much mining activity in the region, 39 per cent said 'yes' while 22 per cent said 'no'. Raewyn Hutchings said this was the first time DoC had run such an extensive user survey and although much of il backed up information it already had, the poll gave an overview of user expectation, likes and dislikes. This was being tied in with existing information to offer a "spectrum of recreation opportunities," she said. The possibility of tying developments in with State Owned Enterprise and regional park recreation plans was also being explored.