OK for centre move

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 480, 6 April 1993, Page 10

OK for centre move

The Ruapehu District Council should take over the running of the Ruapehu Visitors' Centre in Ohakune and Taumarunui 's ProTaum information centre, according to the council's Promotion and Development sub-com-mittee. The sub-committee resolved to endorse in prineiple the concept of the dentres being run under their marketing operation subject to a feasibility report being completed and presented on 20 April, prior to council's annual planning meeting. Mr Bruce Rollinson, Ruapehu District Councils' marketing manager will again be consulting with ProTaum and the RSBA on the detail of the proposed structure. At its meeting l'ast Tuesday, the Ruapehu District Council's Promotion and Development Sub-com-mittee discussed a report on the future administration of the Taumarunui and Ohakune information centres prepared by Mr Bruce Rollinson. The report proposed that the two centres be administered under the council's marketing division which would allow greater co-ordination of district marketing. Both the Ruapehu South Business Association and ProTaum were consulted on their views during the preparation of the report. Although ProTaum had only informally discussed the proposal, the RSBA had generally agreed with the concept, but were concerned about the detail and the future operation of their organisatiori. The council is currently a substantial provider of funds to ensure the continued operation of these centres. What the council must now consider is the best possible structure for an information service to fully complement the marketing and promotion under- taken outside the district, said Mr Rollinson. In a statement to the Bulletin, Mr Rollinson said the reason the concept was being considered was to provide a structure that would best complement the needs of the visitor industry by ensuring a co-ordinated and coherent approach to district promotion and marketing. It is a logical

progression that will ensure the standards and professionalism of the entire marketing operation are similar to other destinations in New Zealand. Mr Rollinson had referred to the fore-sight and commitment of

ProTaum and the RSBA in establishing and operating the centres in his report to the subcommittee. He said they must be congratulated and stressed that it was important that these organisations continue to

promote their respective communities. Raetihi centre The Promotion and Development Sub-com-mittee has recommended 30 percent of the Raetihi Information Centre's budget, be allocated from Turn to page 1 1

Info

From page 10 its marketing operation. The sub-committee agreed there were two aspects to look at - the benefit of marketing the whole district and the benefit to the local community. It is envisaged that the remaining 70 percent of the approved budget will be funded from the community or general rate.