China builds its own little Rotorua

The Rotorua Convention Centre will provide the inspiration.

A new Rotorua-themed village to be built in China is expected to bring thousands of visitors to Rotorua and pump at least $1 million into the local economy.

The subdivision, called Nanjing Rotorua Town, will have 2000 residential properties, a kindergarten, school and shopping centres.

Each property sold will come with an air ticket to Rotorua and is expected to bring about 5000 tourists over the next few years. Based on latest figures and the visitors staying one night, that would pump $1.15 million into the economy.

Some of the building materials are expected to come from Rotorua, and local landscape companies are being approached to help design the subdivision, which is being seen as a way to open the door between the two places, increasing business and educational links.

The subdivision is valued at about $100 million and will be spread over 30ha. The town centre will be modelled on the Rotorua Convention Centre and district council building.

Two Rotorua-themed villages have been built in Japan in the past few years. The inspiration for the latest venture came after a group of Chinese businesspeople visited Rotorua in November and May.

Nanjing Rotorua Town will have a main central city building dedicated to the promotion of Rotorua companies and products looking at breaking into the Chinese market, as well as promoting Rotorua as a destination.

Destination Rotorua Economic Development general manager Mark Rawson, who is part of a delegation which will visit the project next month, said they would try to encourage the developers to use as many Rotorua products and services as possible.

- NZPA