Richard Moore's Straight Talk Columns

Just wondering what Tourism BoP does

1/3/2011

THOSE of us who have anything to do with tourism are not surprised a major cruise ship company knows nothing about Tauranga, other than the fact its liners stop here and passengers head off to Rotorua.

Princess Cruises, which has 18 stopovers here this season, is giving its passengers information about Tauranga that is decades out of date.

Our city, according to the brochure on board the vessel, has 67,000 folk within its boundaries. As we all know, there at least another 43,000 of us.

The only two places of interest that were worth mentioning in the publicity sheet were The Elms, which we agree with, and Te Puke, which we are not sure about as a tourist destination.

What about the dolphin-watching trips off our coast? Or water adventures at Waimarino or Spring Loaded at Paengaroa? How about our hot pools? Or our restaurants?

We've got walks, waterfalls (Kaiate and McLaren), Mauao, beaches, shopping, the Katikati Bird Gardens, scenic flights, parachuting, Classic Flyers, the military museum, Kiwifruit 360, the Art Gallery ...

And, before I forget, one of the most amazing adventures going anywhere: taking a trip out to White Island and setting foot on an active volcano.

Now the people who get paid to promote us, Tourism BoP, were surprised by the outdated information in the cruise line brochure.

Acting manager Glenn Ormsby, who had not seen the pamphlet before, said: ``Cruises are so important to the region, so we have to make sure we have got it right.''

Agree with you there Glenn, but why does Tourism BoP not know what is being handed out by our major tourism associates?

Is it not on touch with them on a regular basis promoting our events and attractions?

Why is there not an up-to-date brochure available for all cruise lines and tourism bodies selling the highlights of Tauranga?

Surely that's what Tourism Bay of Plenty should be creating to promote Tauranga in the tourist market?

It makes you wonder what is our tourism body actually doing to promote Tauranga?

Where is our money being spent?

Are they getting out and about and seeing what is being said about Tauranga, or advertising in the right areas?

Perhaps it's time TourismBoP got a bit more proactive.

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THE disaster in Christchurch has brought out the good in most people but the nasty side of others.

Looters are true bottom-feeders and really should be taken out and shot. They are a waste of space and air and shouldn't contaminate society.

Then we have the unthinking teenager who has been receiving death threats for her insensitive comments on the massive quake.

Little Miss Amy Knowles, 16, boasted on Facebook about nicking ice creams from wrecked stores and mocking survivors.

Knowles was visiting Christchurch when the shaking started. I'll tone down her comments which I'm sure you can all fill in.

``Stole Ice creams, got drunk and mished around seeing stuffed-up things, earthquakes aren't soooo bad.''

``Haha people give me stick about living in rangiora. Stuff you all, i have power, water and can ... flush.''

Lovely gal, I'm sure her family will be so proud.

But her poor mum, Yvonne, says she was horrified and told her beast on Facebook she was ashamed of her.

The teenager has removed her Facebook page and is organising friends to go to Christchurch and help.

I wouldn't let her do that, it's an easy way out.

On her trip she should be made to stand in Cathedral Square with a big sign around her neck repeating her appalling comments.

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NO WONDER Britain isn't so great nowadays ...

People living in Surrey and Kent villages have been ordered by local coppers to remove wire mesh from their windows.

The mesh, which the residents hoped would stop criminals getting into their homes, could prove hazardous to health.

It seems the coppers reckon a burglar could be injured breaking in and sue for compensation.

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PROOF you don't need a brain when you drive a BMW ...

A driver in Oregon was so pleased with reaching 200km/h in his Beamer he filmed the speedo and then posted it on You Tube.

You guessed it, the state troopers saw it and nicked the bozo.

richard@richardmoore.com