MACY OFF TO HUNGARY 20 August 2024 | Proudly locally owned and operated Issue 1119 Circulation 9000
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CONNECTING COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COROMANDEL PENINSULA
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MORE NEEDED FOR BRANDING EXERCISE PART 1 – BY PAULINE STEWART
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Blake McLeod and Lawson Davies are neck and neck racing to the finishing line of the Mercury Bay Area School 7-year-olds cross country race. Photo Pauline Stewart
SEE PAGE 2
he Informer has followed closely the work of the Mercury Bay Business Association (MBBA) to map out and promote a marketing strategy for highway signage and visitor attraction to this region. The Informer supports the idea and direction but the current proposed branding seems to miss the mark. The MBBA strategy has involved a number of strands – including road signage alteration, a new branding of our region that will attract visitors from near and far all year round. The Informer has been quite busy publishing aspects of that strategy and promoting different ideas of phrases and slogans that would describe accurately the attractions and qualities that could bring people all year round to this town. We have been enthusiastic about thermal and ocean and village and none of these have emerged to be included in the four MBBA outcomes (see page 3). If it is to work economically and if it is to cost money, then challenging the outcomes is not wasted. It is clear that this task is not just on the minds of businesses and residents in Whitianga, but also applies to Thames, Whangamata, Tairua and to Coromandel. It is a challenge for each town on the Peninsula. When a traveller from Auckland arrives at the roundabout at Kopu, the only
This worthy endeavour has clouded the specific benefits that Whitianga offers and what other places offer as well. There is nothing that speaks of all year-round attractions.
sign visible is ‘Ngati Maru highway.’ Other signs listing the towns are up the road a little, but not one description anywhere. Over a year ago, our Summer magazine wrote about the Pahi Coastal Walk in the far north of the Coromandel. It is hard to get to and particularly with two past years of damaged roads, slips and a low economy. It is a miracle and a tribute to their excellent offering, to hear on John Freer’s news on CFM that this remote attraction so beautifully organised, packaged and promoted, is now fully booked for the summer of 24/25 which translates to 2000 visitors doing a threeday accommodated and catered walk a good distance north of Coromandel. It is logical that those 2000 adventurous tourists will probably linger and spend time in other parts of the Coromandel Peninsula. They will enjoy food, try other adventures, see other sites and buy fuel at some point. Many other businesses will benefit economically and by the goodwill of the extra presence of 2,000 visitors. If one town or regions benefits, so will the others, if we have something particular and attractive to offer. Part 2 next week
THE WINTON PRO AM at The Dunes, Matarangi Saturday, 14 September
Shot gun start 10am – Entries close 31 August This is a great opportunity to play in a team event with a golf Pro. Entry fee $200 per person includes green fees, polo shirt, buffet meal and prizes. Enter as a team of 3 or individually, best 2 stableford points on each hole. You can pick your own pro for an extra $400 per team. Spaces filling fast, don’t miss out!
Thank you to sponsors. Please support them.
To enter email: operationsmanager@thedunesmatarangi.com www.theinformer.co.nz
The Coromandel Informer – 20 August 2024 | 1