Editorial: We need to take on board expert's view

Rebecca Malcolm.

Sometimes you can't see what's missing until someone from the outside looks in.

So is the case with the visit of world-renowned tourism consultant Professor Terry Stevens, who spent last week in Rotorua looking at what Rotorua was doing well, and where the city can lift its game.

Many of the findings won't come as a surprise to those who love the place and choose to call it home. He raves about our culture, our landscape, the geothermal and mountainbiking.

He even goes so far to say that we have a starting point many destinations around the world would rip off their right arm for.

But he has pinpointed one part of Rotorua's offering which could be improved - and that's our food offering and "housekeeping" like our urban streetscape.

While all of the drawcards will always see Rotorua as a key stop on a tourist's schedule, it's about keeping them here - and coming back.

There are some shining stars in our hospitality industry - some businesses who are at the top of their game and provide excellent food with top-notch hospitality.

But calls to improve service aren't new.

A year ago the Raising the Bar initiative was launched, aimed to raise service standards in the city and make it the best place in the country for friendly, efficient and high-level service.

Each hospitality business in Rotorua should take Professor Stevens' comments on board and think about whether they live up to a standard they can be proud of.

Let's not look at his critique as criticism and get our backs up - instead it's worth taking on board what he has to say.
What is the point in bringing someone like him to Rotorua if we're only going to agree with the positives.

If nothing else, it's food for thought.