New body called Destination Clutha Catlins

Jo Lowrey
Jo Lowrey
The Clutha district is home to the country's newest regional tourism organisation - Destination Clutha Catlins.

Last month, Clutha became the 30th member of Regional Tourism Organisations New Zealand (RTONZ).

Clutha Development Trust destination marketing manager Jo Lowrey said being a recognised regional tourism organisation (RTO) offered the district a chance to access up-to-date industry information and the ability to attend and take part in trade shows.

''It was critical for Clutha Country to be a part of this. We are a small RTO. Our numbers coming into the district are small but we have key features.''

The Clutha Development Trust board agreed to join the regional collective, which had an annual membership fee of about $3000.

RTOs act as a bridge between tourism operators, national tourism bodies and local and central government.

The RTO would be called ''Destination Clutha Catlins''.

''We're now part of a collective, a collaboration across the country. It's putting us on that level playing field.''

Clutha has also joined the Tourism Industry Association, providing another voice for the district.

Mrs Lowrey said the trust would continue to build its Clutha Country brand, while taking advantage of the benefits that came with being an RTO.

Last year, she helped form the Clutha Country Tourism collective to create a network of tourism operators and groups within the district, to promote Clutha and boost visitor numbers to the area.

That collective aims to provide a joint voice for tourism operators, as well as the opportunity to share information, liaise with other tourism groups and promote tourism networking.

Mrs Lowrey said Clutha would also host 10 travel writers at the end of the month, which was another good opportunity to show off the district.

- helena.dereus@odt.co.nz

 

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