Hollyford Track records sales increase

A positive approach during last year's recession has reaped rewards for a boutique Southland tourist attraction.

The Hollyford Track recorded its best year ever last season with a 20 per cent increase in numbers on 2008.

The 37km track, in the Fiordland National Park and operated by Ngai Tahu Tourism, has carved out a niche as a tramp with all the comforts of home including soft beds, a boat cruise and a scenic Milford flight.

Talking to The Southland Times at the Trenz tourism conference in Auckland, Ngai Tahu Tourism southern region sales manager Tane Evans said the 2009-10 season, which runs from October until April, recorded an extra 200 trampers.

The increase comes despite a tough economic year for the global economy in 2009 and Mr Evans said the key had been to take advantage of opportunities the recession had opened up.

There had been great advertising deals, especially in print media, and it had been decided to spend money to take advantage of those offers, he said.

This meant the Hollyford Track had been the star performer in Ngai Tahu tourism's cache of products, including the Shotover Jet, Mr Evans said.

Trenz provided great opportunities to branch out into key markets and while the track was hoping to have daily departures this season there was no way the experience would become jaded, he said.

"What we want to try and do is capitalise in where we've had that growth and grow but were not in business to bastardise the experience by having hundreds of people walking through."

- © Fairfax NZ News

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sue   #1   08:18 am May 28 2010

Undeniably one of the finest walks in the world, great to see the Hollyford Track getting the recognition and popularity it deserves.

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