This article appeared in the Daily Post a few days ago and now the Herald’s website has picked up on it. It’s a pretty interesting read, especially given recent logging operations in Whakarewarewa as well as the logging about to take place in Woodhill.
“The economic value of mountain biking in Rotorua’s Whakarewarewa Forest has been estimated at five times its annual timber revenue and looks set to increase as promotions raise awareness of what is on offer.
A study by Crown Research Institute Scion shows the median annual recreational value of mountain bikers using the forest is $10.2 million – well above the $4.6 million earned through export revenues.
Southstar Adventures’ Jeff Carter said he was seeing more Australian visitors in the forest since trans-Tasman flights started.
“We get lots of locals during the week then, at the weekends, we see people coming from Auckland, Hamilton, Taupo and Wellington.”
As well as the Australians, Carter said there were also a few American groups coming through, with international and domestic tourists contributing to the local economy through accommodation, food and beverage outlets and other businesses and services they use while here.
“With the Kiwis, we will probably get them coming back two or three times a year, so you get more for your advertising dollar.
With the overseas customers, it could be a long time between visits.”
Mountain biking is one of several key marketing strategies Rotorua Airport and the Central Park group are using to promote Air New Zealand’s Rotorua-Sydney flights.
Business development manager Rhys Arrowsmith said a DVD, produced with Ride Rotorua, Events & Venues and Destination Rotorua Marketing, was distributed through Mountain Biking Australia magazine last year, reaching a huge audience.
“There has been a really strong influx of Australian mountain bikers on the trans-Tasman flights. They have found out about Rotorua from a variety of sources, but they have all seen the video.”
He said there were plans to create a bike assembly area at the airport, allowing riders to leave the box at the airport and ride straight to their accommodation or to the forest.
Another DVD will be produced in March for the August edition of Mountain Biking Australia, primarily focusing on the new cycle trails in the wider Central Park area – including Rotorua’s Te Ara Ahi – Thermal by Bike, the Old Motu Coach Road in Gisborne/Opotiki and Taupo’s Lake Track Cycle Trail.
Central Park is working closely with bike companies and shops across the Tasman, with one brand keen to do product launches in Rotorua and shops looking at offering free Rotorua flights to entice customers.
Mountain Bike Rotorua’s Tu Mutu said the sector had done well out of the Rugby World Cup influx of visitors.
“Whakarewarewa Forest is developing quite a reputation among the international fraternity, which is great.”
He pointed to the wide range of routes in the forest.
“There is great mountain biking in other areas, but not as extensive as here. A lot of visitors see Rotorua as a mountain biking Mecca.”
We had 3 Aussies follow us around the trails last Friday, the info centre told them to hook up with some locals, unfortunately they had to put up with a pair of ignorant north of the Bombays riders. They had read about Rotorua through their local bike mags and thought Split Enz and the jump track were the best trails they had ever ridden. Two of them planned on returning ASAP and the other to move here. I think the words out, we need to protect that.
I guess the problem is that mountain biking in the forest is worth more than the logging to the wider community not the forest owners. I dunno who actually owns it but maybe this is a signal that the community should buy/lease the forest?
Actually i like traveling by Bikes. But i haven’t proper training. That’s why yesterday i went to our school filed for training. My friend helped me. Now i am so satisfy for share my feeling with you.