November 13, 2012
Rotorua heart of cultural tourism
An international award-winning Māori tourism operator says Rotorua will continue to be an important part of the way visitors experience Māori culture.
Tamaki Māori Village has just won its third consecutive Golden Backpack award, with independent travellers voting it the best indigenous tourism experience in Australasia.
Director Doug Tamaki says that vindicates the company’s decision to consolidate back on its Rotorua base after the Christchurch earthquake scuttled its South Island expansion plans.
He says while other places have tried to capitalise on Māori culture, the mix of geothermal mud, steam and Māori, make Rotorua unique.
“I think it’s important we keep the icons – Te Puia, ourselves, other cultural attractions in Rotorua to be strong and maintain that cultural presence and Rotorua to be seen as a cultural hub for tourism in New Zealand,” Mr Tamaki says.
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