'Bushwalk bonanza' needs group effort

Manawatu, Horowhenua and Rangitikei are sitting on a bushwalk bonanza and need to work together to reap the full benefit, says Palmerston North Mayor Heather Tanguay.

Visitor numbers had increased in the city and region and travellers were hungry for new adventure holidays, she told a meeting of local body representatives.

"Comparing the official statistics for the four months from July to November 2004 with the same period in 2003, visitor nights are up 3.4 per cent.

"It has been officially reported that visitors returning to New Zealand more than once want to move off traditional routes to explore other tourism offerings."

Mrs Tanguay said she had questioned many young international travellers on adventure tours which stopped at Mangaweka for rafting but passed by Palmerston North.

"They said the same thing: 'Bungy and parachuting are offered in too many places. What have you got that's different?'

"Their questions always were, 'Got any decent walks? ... Got anything exciting and different to do? ... Can we mountain bike anywhere?"'

Another opportunity for collaboration between districts was the development of the section of Te Araroa, the national walking trail, that would pass through the region.

Mrs Tanguay said tourists did not observe district boundaries so it was important to work together to smooth their journey throughout New Zealand.

- NZPA