Professor Simon Milne tells us what we can expect in our changing world as the first ever tourism website is created and run by community to present themselves to the world on their own terms.
The creation of www.westernsouthland.co.nz brings the whole community together to develop the content of their web pages using open source software created by AUT University's New Zealand Tourism Research Institute (NZTRI).
Director of NZTRI, Professor Simon Milne, says the website is like no other. "It's a tourism marketing and development tool as well as a community building instrument for the people and businesses of the area."
The community-built website allows people and businesses to determine how they would like to be portrayed to visitors and the rest of the world. Tips from locals on the 'good places to go', events, accommodation, trails, and things to do are all treasured nuggets for visitors. The website serves as a digital resource for community heritage, and can also be used to inform visitors of what to expect, and how to behave, when they get to a community.
Carolyn Nodder, Senior Research Officer at NZTRI, who has been running the project, says. "The site also acts as a focus for the community's online ambitions as it represents a reflection on what constitutes the locality and what is happening there."
The result is this highly successful website created using a mix of tried and tested 'know how' with innovative technologies and techniques.
"One of the aims of the project has been to build on and enhance the current broadband roll-out in Southland by promoting the use of podcasting in the local community. The project introduces, promotes, and fosters skills in digital voice recording, editing, and publishing and acts as an incentive for broadband uptake," Nodder says.
The locals of Western Southland are using Podcasting and other digital media to 'pass the word' and attract people to their place - promoting the region as a great place to work, play, visit and live, thus generating income and jobs in this rural part of New Zealand. The model is now being developed and adapted for use elsewhere in New Zealand and overseas.
Click here to find out more.