Destination Mt Cook Mackenzie Newsletter March 2009
Contents in this issue:
DMCM Updates
Local News and Events
Trade News
DMCM UPDATES
It our goal to have the information on the www.mtcooknz.com website as informative and relevant as possible. To that end, we would encourage all our operators to check your listings regularly and keep them updated. To edit your listing, go to www.tourismdata.co.nz and enter your email and Password. The site then walks you through the editing process - either page by page, or by choosing the information that you want to update on the menu on the left hand side. You can alter information, add logos and photos etc. It may be a while since you have gone through this process, so if you have
- misplaced your password
- forgotten your password
- password, what password?
please contact Alex at mtcooknz@yahoo.com to get it sorted.
Development of Council Land at Tekapo
Mackenzie District Mayor John O'Neill has announced the cancellation of a proposed sale of Council land in front of the Village Centre at Lake Tekapo. The cancellation was particularly disappointing, given the amount of time and effort expended by both parties to create an iconic development on the land. As the planning framework is in place to ensure that a high standard of development occurs on the lake frontage, Council will review its options once the economic climate is favourable.
Mt Cook/Aoraki in Top 20 New Zealand Destinations
Leading accommodation website www.wotif.com compiled the 2008 Top 20 New Zealand Destinations List based on bookings from business and leisure domestic travelers received on the site throughout the year. It is exciting to see that Mount Cook/Aoraki has made the list for the first time. General Manager Brand Megan Magill said the Top 20 list celebrates the great diversity New Zealand offers travelers. "It's great to see Mount Cook/Aoraki make the list this year, which is largely due to an increase in accommodation in the region now available through Wotif.com, but it's also the result of people's enthusiasm to explore the region," she said.
Website Visitors
Visits to our website www.mtcooknz.com were down slightly against the previous year in November and December 2008, and this trend continued into January 2009. However, January figures are up from December so visitors to our site are increasing in the new year. Lower numbers possibly reflect the overall downturn in economics world wide.
LOCAL NEWS & EVENTS
Tasman Glacier Iceberg Calving 
The three metre tidal wave surging down Aoraki/Mt Cook's Terminal Lake was the first indicator of the largest single iceberg in 25 years calving directly from the Tasman Glacier terminal face on 10 February. The giant slab of ice or 'calf', estimated to be 250m long by 250m wide by 80m high, plunged into the Terminal lake in the early afternoon, and a second iceberg about quarter of the size calved from the face shortly afterwards.
Glacier Explorers Operations Manager Bede Ward, whose company takes visitors on boat trips to view the Tasman Glacier face from the water, said the calving happened between trips, but "the terminal face of the glacier is in quite an active phase at the moment so passengers are getting the trip of a lifetime," he said.
The event has put our region at the top of the news recently, with a spot on Campbell Live. If you missed the programme you can view it by going to http://www.3news.co.nz/Tasman-glacier-is- retreating-rapidly/tabid0367/articleID/91730/cat/84/Default.aspx
2009 Winter Marketing 
The Mackenzie Winter Marketing Group has been in existence since 2002 when a group of proactive operators joined together to market their businesses. Recently, the members elected to dissolve the legal entity of the MWMG and to bring the marketing under the umbrella of DMCM.
It was agreed by members that the thrust for the 2009 winter campaign would be the Domestic Market, designed to increase awareness of the Mackenzie as a winter destination. The campaign utilizes radio, on-line and a small amount of print advertising, primarily March through August. The hook is a prize package and people will be asked to register on www.mackenziewinter.co.nz
A PR company has been consulted, and a three-pronged approach has been proposed;
- Establish more targeted communication links with trade, consumers and local operators
- Raise the region's media profile by identifying story angles to create press releases to be distributed to trade, travel and consumer media
- Target key media to secure editorial placement
Lake Tekapo Attraction Achieves Milestone Recognition 
Lake Tekapo Alpine Springs/Spa & Winter Park, which officially opened on 25 June 2007 has been endorsed by Qualmark, New Zealand tourism's official mark of quality.
The complex has quickly become an essential stop on the country's tourism map, offering visitors year-round relaxation and recreation with hot pools, day spa, café and an international size outdoor ice rink. This June will see the launch of a state of the art 80m long by 50m wide snow tubing slope for all to enjoy in natural and man-made snow.
Owner Karl Burtscher is delighted to have achieved the prestigious endorsement. "Qualmark represents quality assurance for local and international visitors alike. It's very important for people to know they're spending their time and money on an activity that's been rigorously tested and meets NZ approved standards."
Upcoming Events
14 March - Fishing Contest, Lake Tekapo. Enjoy the scenery while fishing beautiful Lake Tekapo. Great prizes to be won, entry fee includes BBQ, numbers are limited. Contact laketekapoevents@gmail.com
15 March - Mackenzie High Country Fête, Lake Tekapo. Arts, crafts, wine, food, children's entertainment, music & fashion parade. 10am to 3pm. Contact tekapo-auto@xtra.co.nz
13 April - Mackenzie Highland Show, Fairlie. Annual Easter Monday A&P show. Crafts, animals, produce, entertainment, equestrian events. Contact mackenziea.p@xtra.co.nz
TRADE NEWS
Lonely Planet Decides South Island Now in League of its Own
In a coup for South Island tourism promoters, the world's leading publisher of travel books has announced plans to produce a travel guide dedicated to the South Island. Lonely Planet has decided to add a SI guide to it's impressive list of titles following discussions with Christchurch Airport and Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism. The book is due to be published in April.
Errol Hunt, commissioning editor for Lonely Planet says "This is something that our readers have been crying out for, and we're pretty excited to be finally bringing it to them."
Christine Prince, Chief Executive of CCT is delighted by the decision, and says it is a testimony to the richness and diversity of the Mainland, adding "We're no longer seen as a tag-on to the North Island. We're a destination in our own right and we offer something different to what is found in other parts of New Zealand."
Once again, if you have news and views you would like to share with us, we would love to hear from you.
Philip Brownie and the team from Destination Mt Cook Mackenzie and Lake Pukaki Visitor Information Centre
