Kia ora koutou
The Te Waipounamu Maori Regional Tourism Organisation has just launched a new product called Manaaki Card, that seeks to kick start their journey towards self sustainability. The Te Waipounamu (ie. South Island) group learned the lessons from previously formed MRTOs reliant on government funds that enabled them to carry out their supportive work for Maori tourism operators.
Manaaki is a Maori value critical to New Zealand's tourism industry. It is throughout the NZTS2015 strategy and requires that our industry embrace and deliver our duty and obligation as hosts, it is arguably the backbone of New Zealand's success, especially when you consider research that identifies our friendliness as a key takeout to the visitor experience.
Manaaki Card brings together over 50 Maori tourism operators and a selection of eateries and galleries throughout New Zealand that reflect the Maori world view. It is an accessible vehicle for visitors to immediately see and gain access to Maori tourism experiences right throughout New Zealand while adding value by way of a phone component.
The beauty of this is that all profits earned from sale of these cards goes straight back into Maori tourism development via commissions paid to the operator who sells the card and the MRTO in the region each card is sold. Manaaki intends to inject back into Maori tourism over $1m in the next 5 years.
So, check it out, buy one - or several and add value to your own visit to New Zealand, or your inbound clients or to just buy one for the person who has everything and support this vital part of our tourism sector.
Nga mihi
