Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) play a leading role in the New Zealand tourism sector and act as a bridge between tourism operators, national tourism bodies and local and central government.
The RTO’s main responsibility is to promote their region as a tourist destination and attract visitors. They do this by marketing and packaging the facilities and attractions within their region to potential domestic and international visitors. They sometimes work in partnership with the local information centre or I-Site.
Currently the RTOs across New Zealand vary widely in size, structure, and the scope of activities they undertake. RTOs are largely funded by local authorities, such as councils, as well as industry partnership. Whilst central government funds Tourism New Zealand to promote the country as a whole, there is growing support from central government also for RTO funding.
Local government is a major player within the tourism industry, responsible for the provision of many of the services and facilities (infrastructure) required by tourists. So, by funding the RTO, they play their part in the local tourism development, which ensures that the tourism industry makes a contribution to the local community.
Some of the RTOs main functions are outlined below:
- Branding and Promotion
- Planning
- Product Development
- Visitor Information Centres (i-sites)
- Meetings & Conventions
- Event Development
New Zealand is broken up into various RTOs, as you can see below. A 'host region' in reference to the tourism industry is based on these individual RTO's.
Auckland/Northland
Destination Northland
Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development
Christchurch - Canterbury, West Coast
Aoraki Development Business & Tourism
https://www.aorakidevelopment.co.nz/
Christchurch Canterbury Tourism
Destination Mount Cook Mackenzie
https://mackenzienz.com/
mtcookvc@doc.govt.nz
Tourism West Coast
Dunedin, Coastal Otago and Southland
Tourism Dunedin
Tourism Waitaki
Venture Southland
Fiordland, Wanaka, Queenstown and Central Otago
Destination Fiordland
Destination Queenstown
Lake Wanaka Tourism
Tourism Central Otago
Marlborough and Nelson
Destination Marlborough
https://marlboroughnz.com/destination-marlborough/
info@MarlboroughNZ.com
Nelson Tasman Tourism
Eastern North Island
Venture Hawke's Bay
Resources: Trade resources
Email meganh@hawkesbaytourism.co.nz for image requests
Tourism Bay of Plenty
Tourism Coromandel
Tourism Eastland
Central North Island
Hamilton & Waikato Tourism
Destination Great Lake Taupo
Destination Rotorua
Visit Ruapehu
Wellington and Wairarapa
Destination Wairarapa
Positively Wellington Tourism
