2006

Small and Medium Tourism Enterprise Training Needs and Awareness (Phase 1)

In conjunction with the Rangitikei District Council, NZTRI has developed a survey of visitors to the district which was conducted by the Rangitikei District Council over the summer period 2004-2005. The aim is to gain a statistically significant picture of the visitors to the Rangitikei District, their demographics, visit patterns, expenditure patterns, and satisfaction with various elements of their visit. The results will be used as a basis for ongoing research and development of a tourism strategy for the area.

In conjunction with the AUT Division of Sport and Recreation's Geoff Dickson, NZTRI four events in 2005: the Kururau Krusher multisport race in Taumaranui, the Women's Special K Triathlon in Taupo, the ARC 12 & 24 hour race in the Coromandel, and the ASB Waiheke Island Challenge. This research forms part of our T.R.A.C.E. (Tourism Research & Community Empowerment) programme and studies the economic impact of visitors to small regional towns to compete in ‘micro’ sporting events. The research involved surveying businesses and administering a web based survey to competitors. The data collected will feed into an online calculator on our T.R.A.C.E.

Completed in early 2006, this research looks at patterns and trends in cruising, specifically in the Pacific, and assesses the feasibility of a proposed mixed cruise/cargo motor sail type of experience around the outer islands of the Cooks group.

The MIVIS technology is designed to enhance visitor experience as they travel around NZ by allowing information to be accessed on the visitor’s own phone in their own language. This research reviews the outcomes of a pilot of the MIVIS software and technology at the Pukaha Mount Bruce Wildlife Sanctuary. The focus of the survey was to explore four core areas: basic characteristics of visitors; use of general ICT; specific user experience of MIVIS technologies; and impact of MIVIS use on conservation attitudes.