Ensuring our share

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 405, 24 September 1991, Page 9

Ensuring our share

I'm for a Ruapehu District marketing manager. I am even willing to pay more in rates to see one appointed, provided that a clear set of objectives and job description are laid down. That is my view, but there are quite obviously people about who disagree. There is an opportunity this week to express a different point of view (or the same point of view) and to hear the council's plans. The meeting is to be held at the Ohakune Club on Wednesday night. It seems many Taumarunui people don't want a marketing manager, saying times are too tough to go spending money on such frivoulousness, but it vital that we make an effort to ensure people know we are here ahd what we have to offer. The argument that times are too tough and we cannot afford it really is the wrong one, I believe. It has been said that when times are good you should advertise, but when times are tough you must advertise. That is because when times are tough everybody is competing for the same dollar and if the customer doesn't know about you then there are plenty of others to take your share. Ruapehu has a lot to offer, that is why we live here. So too do a lot of other districts in New Zealand and if we want people to visit or come here to live and/or set up businesses we have to promote ourselves outside the area. Some have argued that the Taumarunui and southern Ruapehu promotions groups get enough money to do the job, but these largely voluntary groups are spending all their time and money providing information and promoting activities once people are already here. And members are too busy to do a professional job of seeking out new markets for Ruapehu. As for rating commercial properties extra to pay a portion of the promotion account, I can see there are probems, especially when you hear how much some business people are paying and how much others are not paying, but while everyone will benefit from an increased market share, it is business people who will benefit first. See you at the meeting, if you are interested in Ruapehu's future.