December 06, 2017
Waimangu owners put stamp on geothermal wonderland
Waimangu Volcanic Valley has appointed a tourism insider to manage the iconic attraction.
David Blackmore comes to the role after eight years as sales and marketing manager for Skyline Rotorua.
Waimangu was bought earlier this year by a partnership between Te Mana o Ngati Rangitihi, Tuhourangi Tribal Authority and Te Puia – New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute.
Waimangu Volcanic Valley chair Alan Skipwith says after three months in the business, the partnership now has a clearer understanding of the operation and where it may go in the future.
It is working on identifying iwi stories to weave into the existing Waimangu operation, and talking with nearby tourism operators to ensure their stories are consistent.
Waimangu is the world’s youngest geothermal system and was created by the Tarawera eruption in 1886, which destroyed the nearby Pink and White Terraces.
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