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Newsletter
Autumn
2010
Well, the drought has definitely broken
after an amazing summer which resulted in an
extended season with more visitors to the
centre this February than last year. The
overall numbers recorded at the centre for
the December to February period were down
only slightly from the 2008/2009 season. Our
volunteers handled the numerous enquiries
for accommodation, restaurants, wineries,
sculpture and art trails well and numerous
people availed themselves of the brochures
and booklets that are displayed when the
centre is unmanned. We have given out just
over 3000 of the 2010 ‘Matakana Coast' books
to date and the new Warkworth brochure has
also proved popular.
It was interesting to note the number of
American tourists in the area this year,
perhaps the result of a marketing campaign.
Apart from keeping brochures and information
up to date, our main thrust has been to get
the new website
www.matakanainfo.org.nz running as
efficiently as possible. This has been
achieved with considerable effort on the
part of volunteers, supporters and our
administrator Karen who has had a crash
course with our web builder so that we can
maintain and update the site ourselves.
Designed by our volunteers is very user
friendly with features such as accommodation
set out in a coded format that donates areas
and rates and the highlighting of
attractions and cafes that are particularly
family friendly.
Feedback
on the site has been very positive and we
will continue to work on it to keep it fresh
and up to date to provide the best possible
marketing vehicle for our supporters. Please
do have a look if you haven't already.
We have refreshed the area above the
brochure racks with a series of local
photographs by well known underwater
photographer, Darryl Torckler, which have
been much admired. These will be on display
until the end of June when we will be
inviting another local photographer to
exhibit.
Recently we met the new managers of the
Warkworth i-site and look forward to
continuing our good relationship with the
centre in the future.
Our volunteer numbers are at 18 and
we have an enthusiastic group who are very
knowledgeable and able to help visitors with
their needs. We continue our program of
‘famil' visits to check out what our
supporters offer and recently held a well
attended emergency training session. Two of
our volunteers accepted the invitation by
Paihia i-Site to visit Northland last year
and as a result of this we now carry their
brochure which has been well received by
locals and tourists travelling north.
We look forward to continuing to promote the
Matakana Coast area and our supporter's
businesses over the winter months and hope
to see you at our AGM on Tuesday 20th July.
Details to follow. With very best wishes
from myself and the MIC Volunteer Team.
Louise van Campfort
Chairperson
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