Whilst a discussion about how to market our lovely town and the Coromandel is welcome, I think the ‘sign’ that appeared on your front page would be grossly misleading. Visitors would picture steam erupting from the ground everywhere like in Rotorua, or a hot water beach to dig wallowing holes on. The reality would be disappointing to many which would have a negative impact on what you are aiming to be achieved.
With due respect, Mr Hopping, your submission is totally flawed. To quote from Hanmer Spring’s webpage …. “We are the best place to act like a kid, with an activity pool, lap pool, lazy river and epic water slides, including the largest aquatic thrill ride in NZ’. Hanmer Springs also boasts 22 thermal pools and is open seven days a week, except Christmas Day.
The Lost Spring is a truly great asset to Whitianga, but it is definitely not family friendly, is on a much smaller scale, and is only open three days a week. It would be wonderful if we could have something like the AC Baths in Taupo, that really would be an asset to our town – or are we a village? The terminology gets a bit confusing.
It is a tough call economically for businesses at the moment, especially now it is winter. Whitianga is a lovely destination whatever time of year, so how to attract more visitors that doesn’t cost too much?
For instance, how about making more of Matariki? When I mention I live here people say how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place. So maybe a sign at Kopu Bridge that says ‘WELCOME TO THE BEAUTIFUL COROMANDEL – SO MUCH TO SEE’, with perhaps some prominent tourist information, or maybe a very large version of the cartoon tourist map of the Coromandel, near the Kopu Cafe.
As for Whitianga, any signage should be honest and embrace ALL that it has to offer. How about ‘18km to WONDERFUL WHITIANGA’?
