NATIONAL

NATIONAL New ‘Visit Heritage’ website launched

Buckle in for an exciting ride, New Zealand – domestic heritage tourism has taken a quantum leap forward in time for summer.

WORDS: John O'Hare

Curiosity about our country’s heritage places is on the rise, and with COVID-19 keeping us closer to home this summer, there will likely be an increase in domestic tourism. And so, as an organisation, we’re very excited to introduce our new-look, visitor-friendly website highlighting the experiences to be enjoyed at our nationwide network of properties, as well as other local attractions nearby. “The idea for the website grew out of the first lockdown and by the reality that local tourism was going to look quite different. We already had a strong focus on domestic tourists, as it's a priority for us to connect New Zealanders with their own heritage. Circumstances just reinforced the importance of this,” explains our Marketing Advisor, Bec Collie, who has spearheaded the campaign. “We felt strongly that we needed to develop a website focused on the needs and interests of visitors to our properties. One of our key objectives is to bring heritage to everyone, including younger people. For that to happen, a strong web presence was absolutely essential.” The website functions smoothly on a wide range of devices including smartphones and tablets – standard gear for any traveller nowadays – and particularly so when people are out and about. It is fresh, clean and very easy to follow. Information is written in a fun, breezy style. As well as consistent visitor information – right down to availability of toilets, good coffee, gift shops and opening hours – the website also includes a growing virtual ‘library’ of stories that enable visitors to learn more about the places they are visiting. “The information on the website is really a taster – nothing can beat the actual experience of going to our properties as shown by the many rave reviews on Trip Advisor and other platforms,” says Bec. “The web presence just makes the experiences we offer more accessible.” Although a lot of the content is currently aimed at New Zealand visitors, this will be adapted as international borders open up again. “In the meantime, we all have a unique opportunity to get out there and explore these amazing places associated with Aotearoa New Zealand,” says Bec. Website users will notice that Te Reo Māori features as well as bilingual and bicultural content. Information on the website is also written very much with the new histories curriculum in mind. “We’ve worked hard to ensure that this website is fresh and relevant, and speaks to as wide a cross-section of New Zealanders as possible,” says Bec. “Ultimately, what we’d love is for New Zealanders to feel a real sense of fascination, belonging and pride at the incredibly diverse history and heritage they can discover through this platform – along with a sense of shared ownership of the places we care for; and a deep curiosity to explore them for themselves.” The website will make planning heritage road trips around the country a breeze. n

You can see the new website for yourself by going to: www.visitheritage.org.nz