Destination Marlborough
Go to the Marlborough NZ website for more information
Destination Marlborough, currently operated under the auspices of Council, is responsible for marketing Marlborough as a visitor destination. Our job is to tell the world why Marlborough is a brilliant destination to visit for a holiday, for business, or to catch up with friends and family.
Regional promotion is vital to create the awareness and desirability of a region and grow the number of visitors who want to come to Marlborough. But visitors must first have a reason to come to a region. Regional promotion provides context, an umbrella if you like, under which individual businesses can promote their product or service. It is only when visitors have a reason or desire to come to Marlborough that they then look for accommodation, activities and transport that suits their circumstances.
The region's destination marketing activities are funded through a combination of commercial partnership funding, isite revenue and Marlborough District Council General and Targeted Tourism Rates.
All activity undertaken by Destination Marlborough is focused on the following four regional priorities:
- Positioning Marlborough as a compelling destination to visit
- Growing visitor spend in Marlborough
- Prioritising effort to smooth seasonality
- Connecting local government and private sector funding to achieve a single collaborative voice
Destination Marlborough delivers an ongoing programme of trade education and influencing to increase product placement in travel brochures internationally, and improve the ability of travel agents to confidently sell the Marlborough region.
Destination Marlborough attracts New Zealanders to visit and extend their stay through tactical marketing initiatives and media targeting and hosting to generate editorial. Particular emphasis is placed on stimulating travel in the spring and autumn.
Destination Marlborough also markets the region as a conference, meeting and incentive destination to build visitor numbers over winter. The objective is to increasingly attract this business, provide partner programmes and pre and post conference leisure options and encourage delegates to return to the region with friends and family.
Destination Marlborough works with Port Marlborough to support cruise ship visits to the region and coordinate on-shore excursions for visitors.
Every opportunity is taken to initiate and attract international media outlets to visit Marlborough to generate editorial coverage that raises the profile of the region.
Destination Marlborough operates the isite Visitor Centres in Picton and Blenheim on behalf of the region. These two centres are open to assist visitors with travel enquiries and bookings, both in the region and for the duration of their time in New Zealand.
Destination Marlborough produces the officially recognised Marlborough Visitor Guide, which is available online and distributed extensively throughout New Zealand and to key travel re-sellers offshore. This is complemented by the official regional tourism website (see link below) and social media channels that direct visitors to information, products and offers from the region.
Go to the Marlborough NZ website
Marlborough businesses have access to the range of promotional and marketing partnerships created by Destination Marlborough to help profile their individual experience and market collectively with others. The Destination Marlborough team also provide tourism marketing and product development expertise and advice along with public relations and crisis communication support as a service to tourism operators in the region.
Businesses who offer services or products to visitors, in addition to their own business management and marketing, have access to a range of tourism marketing opportunities facilitated and led by Destination Marlborough that help connect their products to the customer.
Local business owners/managers are encouraged to make full use of the opportunities, information and connections available through Destination Marlborough.
For full details of Destination Marlborough's annual activity plan, and to ensure you are taking full advantage of the regional marketing effort, contact the team at Destination Marlborough on email or see the MarlboroughNZ website.
