Table: Tourism summary

Information summary

There are no reliable tourism data for tourist activity in the Waitaki Valley (in terms of employment, accommodation etc) but there are some data which relate to the Waitaki District generally (Tourism Waitaki). Currently the lower Waitaki is considered as a through route by Tourism Waitaki.

A number of people have made the comment that there is little understanding of the current visitors, the experiences they wish to enjoy and what they value in the area.

An alternative tourist route between Christchurch and Queenstown is aimed to increase use. This culture and heritage trail, promoted by councils, will be linked to Maori rock art in Timaru and will tell the stories of the culture and heritage of the Waitaki Valley including the Takiroa Maori Rock Drawings.

The local Waitaki community is very active in developing its own tourist ventures. Projects that are planned: Kurow to Duntroon Walkway; Kurow Island; Kurow and Waitaki Dam project.

These projects would complement the Vanished World Centre which is an exciting and successfully community development project which has a base in Duntroon but also moves visitors around the area.

Other tourism development may be linked to a viticulture industry which is popular in other regions of New Zealand.

There is a belief expressed by people in the community that there is growth occurring in the tourism industry at present and there is potential to enhance it through nature, culture and heritage tourism.

Quantitative data

292,000 bed nights in the Tourism Waitaki area in the last 12 months.

Transit New Zealand road count figures:

* Average annual daily totals

Oamaru I - site information centre

Quantitative data (continued)

Paid and complementary Vanished World centre visitors

Kurow information centre visitor numbers

Danseys Pass Holiday Park bed nights

Significance

The lower Waitaki is not currently a highly visited international tourist destination. Growth is reported though and the development of community initiatives and the alternative route between Christchurch and Queenstown is likely to increase its significance.

The lakes are a significant summer holiday destination for many predominantly local visitors.

The Waitaki River attracts a considerable number of visitors especially during the height of the salmon fishing season.

Future trends

The Vanished World initiative is an example of how future tourist development could occur in the lower Waitaki. It is a community driven project that is based on strong co-operative partnerships and community support. Other tourism initiatives based on the same principles are likely to be equally successful.

Tourism development based on significant industries such as viticulture have also been proposed. There is immense potential to develop a tourism industry that plays to the existing strengths of the area, including nature based experiences and local culture and heritage. There are many interesting stories and nature-based recreation experiences to be had in the lower catchment including the social history of the dams, the experiences to be had on the river, and physical activities such as walking, biking and climbing.

Summer holiday experiences for New Zealanders camping and enjoying the lakes is already a considerable tourist market and is likely to be sustained.

Water flow level influence

On-water tourism activities such as fishing and jet boating would be affected by changing water levels in the same way as they would be for recreational users. The extent would depend on the level of change.

Off-water activities are likely to be affected if tourists negatively perceive the environmental change. Tourists appreciate the landscape they enjoy recreation activities within and if landscape changes then appreciation of experiences is also likely to change.

Information sources

Susan Houston (Tourism Waitaki)

Julie Familton (Tourism Waitaki)

Sinclair Knight Mertz. 2004. Draft National Cost Benefit Analysis of Proposals to Take Water from the Waitaki River. Ministry of Economic Development.

Malcolm Anderson and Aoraki Development Trust

Mike Grey ('Way Forward' committee)

www.trcnz.govt.nz

Oamaru I - Site Information Centre

Kurow Information Centre visitor numbers

Transit New Zealand road use figures

Roger Blackburn (Vanished World)

Neil Thorpe (Danseys Pass Holiday Park)

Kurow trail and the Ocean to Alps trail brochures

Densem G. 2004. Waitaki Landscape Study. Waitaki District Council.

Information explanation and assessment

Information is based on descriptions provided by local tourism managers and developers. Comment has also been gained from members of the community interested in developing tourism opportunities. The information is considered to give a basic description of current tourism activities and initiatives.

Information coverage

The information presented comes predominantly from the tourism provider's perspective. There is a limited understanding of current or potential tourists preferences, values and expectations and these have not been presented.

GIS maps in companion report

Refer to pages 68, 70, 94 and other specific activity maps.