Promotion group marks fourth year

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 393, 2 July 1991, Page 7

Promotion group marks fourth year

The Ruapehu South Business Association marked the fourth year of existence at their annual general meeting recently. Officers and committee of the RSBA remain the same, with an invitation extended to any interested persons to join the committee if they wish. Chairperson Sue Allomes, in presenting her report, said the RSBA's activities had grown from a humble gross turnover of $2000 four years ago to an expected combined gross turnover of $200,000 in the present financial year. She thanked the staff of the visitor centre, Jackie Williamson, Pat Goldfinch and Rose Pepere "who work tirelessly to make ends meet, speaking to many thousands of visitors to the Southern Ruapehu area and booking hundreds of Intercity tickets, bungy jumps, horse rides, and accommodation stays" She said the team have often worked voluntarily to get the various jobs done. A major area of development this year has been the upgrading of the visitor centre to meet the standards required by the New Zealand Tourist Department for it to become a "Networked Information Centre", linked to a chain of such centres around the country. Also new is the Kiwihost training which the staff have undergone and will be arranging for anyone in the area who wants to participate in this programme. Mrs Allomes said one of the most exciting developments was the formation of the Tourism and Promotion subgroup of the Ruapehu District Council, which includes RSBA representatives. "The acceptance by council that the tourism dollars are not just a matter for front line tourist operators, but one that affects every member of our townships is most significant," she said.