Media Release
16 November 2011
Rotorua leavesthe Society of American Travel Writersspellbound
Rotorua left the Society of AmericanTravel Writers (SATW) spellbound after they experienced thecity’s world famous adventure and geothermal attractionslast week.
Around 450 North American Travel Writers and PRprofessionals were in new Zealand for the SATW annualconvention which was held in Wellington. they were given theopportunity to choose pre and post convention tours in 27different regions with 60 tours on offer. The opportunitycame just one week after Rotorua had hosted the AustralianSociety of Travel Writers (ASTW).
Fifteen North AmericanTravel Writers embarked on the pre convention RotoruaAdventure Tour excited about the opportunity to experienceworld first adventure activities such as the Schweeb atAgroventures and the world famous Zorb.
Other adventureactivities they engaged in included luging down MtNgongotaha at Skyline Rotorua, high speeds and 360º spinson Lake Rotorua with Kawarau Jet, mountain biking with MultiDay Adventures, Off Road NZ kart racing, white water raftingthe seven metre drop on the Kaituna River with River Ratsand then finally relaxing with a hot soak at PolynesianSpa.
SATW board member Bob Sehlinger said he reallyenjoyed the Adventure tour which was organised likeclockwork by Destination Rotorua Marketing and Tourism NewZealand.
“In the 20 years of being a member of SATW,this has been the best pre/post tour I have ever been on,”he said.
The pre convention Rotorua Geothermal Tour had 17writers taking part and the post Geothermal Tour showedseven writers around.
They felt the wonder of thebillowing steam, bubbling mud pools and spectacular geysersof the city visiting the Whakerewarewa Thermal Village,Rotorua Museum, Polynesian Spa, White Island, Te UrerewaTreks, the Buried Village, Waimangu Volcanic Valley and TePuia, where they also stayed overnight in a Marae.
ChrisMcBeath from travelpublishing.com and greatestgetaways.comsaid it was amazing to walk through the origins of the earthon White Island and to experience the power, chemistry andpeculiar geothermal beauty of Rotorua.
“I also enjoyedconnecting and learning about the intrinsic values, prideand joy of the Maori culture – a terrific combination.”
Destination Rotorua Marketing acting general managerTania Bui says the exposure and coverage of Rotorua throughhosting pre and post famils for the SATW delegates isinvaluable.
“It would have taken considerable time andresources to attract such influential writers to new Zealandand to our region independently and the feedback that wehave received has been exceptionally positive, some of whichwe know has already been posted on global travel blogs,social media and travel websites,” she says.
“Thisalone is fantastic given the importance of web search indecision making for travel choices.”
Almost 65,000visitors arrived in Rotorua from the United States in theyear to end of December 2011 which was an estimated 34% ofall United States visitor arrivals to new Zealand.
Formore information visit: satwnewzealand.com/
ENDS
Preconvention geothermal tour quotes:
- It’s one thing towalk through a museum and learn about a culture, but thestay at Te Puia allowed me to have a much deeper experiencewith Maori culture. Jill Robinson, Freelancejournalist.- A unique experience for an American –seeing a steaming volcano, thermal baths, learning the Maoriculture and sleeping at Te Puia. David Molyneaux,TheTravelMavens.com, U.S Newspapers andCruiseCritic.com- Even with a little pre-tripresearch, I was unprepared for what I found here… thebeauty of the surroundings and the friendliness of thepeople left a great impression. Al Bonowitz, Auto Club ofSouthern California.- What a great intro to Maoriculture, Rotorua went all out for us and it showed –Rotorua is now a favourite for me. Sally MacDonald,Freelance writer Philadelphia Enquirer- It wasamazing to walk through the origins of the earth on WhiteIsland and to experience the power, chemistry and peculiargeothermal beauty. I also enjoyed connecting and learningabout the intrinsic values, pride and joy of the Maoriculture. a terrific combination. Chris McBeath,travelpublishing.com, greatestgetaways.com
Postconvention geothermal tour quotes:
- The Maori experienceswere exceptional especially sleeping overnight in TePuia’s Marae and listening to the storyteller tell thetales of long ago and I’ve never smelled such fresh, pureair as at Whirinaki during the walk through its pristineforest. Patricia Alisau, North Star TravelMedia- Rotorua has such a wealth of surprises. Byvisiting the various attractions we were able to get afuller picture of Maori culture and the wonders of yourgeothermal and natural resources. I want to come back andexperience more of the wonders of this area. KathyHagood,about.com
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