Promoting tourism for Waimarino

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 28, 13 December 1983, Page 1

Promoting tourism for Waimarino

Andreas Hefti, director of the Turoa International Sports School in Ohakune, has undertaken a campaign to promote the Waimarino both im this country and overseas through his Information Office in Clyde Street. He is enthusiastic about prospects of developing Waimarino's tourist potential and sees his role as a coordinator of various promotional activities that will bring visitors to the area through his Ohakune-based office. And, once here, he expects to provide thern, through a booking agency that he will operate, with value for money and accommodation to suit their purses so that they will recall their visit to Ohakune with pleasure and will want to return. "The potential for developing Ohakune as the centre for an all-year tourist resort area is certainly here," he said ... "we have a great •ural scenic environment, of outdoor sporting and recreational activities and a wide range of accommodation available for most of the year." Andreas Hefti should know. Before coming to Ohakune 5 years ago to take up an appointment with the Turoa Skifield he had been the manager of the Tourist Bureau in Leysin in Switzerland for 3 years. The Leysin office not only provided information for tourists but also made arrangements for recreational activities and bookings for accommodation. Andreas intends providing a similar service for visitors coming to Ohakune and says that the two places have much in common — only Leysin is bigger. Compared with Ohakune's permanent population of 1,510 and winter weekend

population of between 5,000-6,000, Leysin has a permanent population of 4,000 which swells to 15,000 during the ski season. In addition to providing information and a booking service for other operators — such as white water rafting, canoeing, horse trekking etc — he will also be arranging a number of activities himself such as tennis camps, golf safaris, skiing classes, language and computer courses. Andreas was the coach of

the Swiss Olympic Ski team for many years and has also coached tennis in Switzerland during the summer months. But, in order to get any such scheme to attract outside interest and the visitor to the Waimarino, there must be a nucleus of local community interest and support. It is for this reason that he has decided to set up "Sports Club 2000" which is to be a social and competitive centre for all members as well as a holiday venue for adult and junior sports enthusiasts. To encourage local interest from National Park, Ohakune, Raetihi and Waiouru members of Club 2000 will enjoy considerable discounts ranging from 15% to 50% to cover a range of activities for a minimal membership fee. The annual subscription for adults is $8.0 and for juniors under 1 6 years of age $4. For further information contact Andreas Hefti or Fiona Lundy at the Tourist Information Office at 55 Clyde Street.