Dawn Unplugged

Small Business, Big Web World

2008-03-06T14:16:00.000-08:00

I have now been in my own business for about 9 months and finally got around to getting my own website up and running. Check it out www.tourismunplugged.co.nz . It's been a challenge as while I consider myself reasonably tech savvy, I am NOT a website builder. And we know that every business worth its weight has some kind of web presence.

So, the search for a cost efficient solution ensued. I came across www.2day.com via that wonderful google search engine, offering a great deal on constructing your own website. It was easy to follow, easy to use with great back up people at the other end of the phone and no shortage of support. So for any of you struggling with creating a web presence, this is certainly worth a look at.

I expect calls to flood in now! Seriously, a web presence for me is about reinforcing my position and allowing potential clients to get to grips with the services I offer. For me, this business is about relationships so I will continue to network, network, network. At least I can now say I have another tool to promote my business... and it didn't break the bank.

Manaaki - Hospitality Maori Style

2007-12-16T17:26:00.000-08:00

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

NZTS2015 - our responsibility

2007-09-16T00:05:00.000-07:00

Well, the submission process is complete, tourism conference has happened and it's nearly time for the official launch of the NZTS2015 Strategy. It seems that sustainability will be a big issue for tourism here in Aotearoa New Zealand for some time yet. This is good, it's well overdue and we can't afford to mess up the very land and environment we depend on for our day to day work -the hosting of our visitors.

I suspect though, that there exists operators and organisations out there who think they're doing their bit for sustainability and feel a bit detached from this process. The there will be some who feel it's someone else's issue, it won't affect them in their lifetime and then there will be those who think it's complete bunkum and won't do a bloody thing.

I personally, feel this is a much wider issue than just tourism. This is about each one of us, as NZrs and how we feel about this country we call home, our commitment to its future and our responsible approach to the way we run our businesses. The success of NZ being a world leader in environmental sustainability, be it in tourism or not, requires that each of us become responsible and respond to the call in whatever ways we can.

Hell, even if you have no desire to see NZ up there in lights - YOU live here too! Your kids will be left with whatever contribution you've made to this planet... so will your grandkids, and their kids......

Of course, our response needn't necessarily be huge, radical changes to our lives, but small ones can make a huge, cumulative difference. Simple actions; a commitment to recycling, less use of paper, use of public transport (where it exists), embracing of new technologies that eliminate our need to jump on planes every 5 minutes, making voluntary contributions in time or money to causes that help drive sustainability and reform. As tourism operators, we have a definite opportunity to educate our visitors on these issues - in fact, we can't afford not to.

I reckon it's as simple as JUST DO SOMETHING! But don't do nothing!

What do You think?

Tourism Unplugged

2007-08-10T16:08:00.000-07:00

I have spent the past 20 years in various roles within the tourism sector here in New Zealand.....United Airlines, Tourism New Zealand (in the USA and NZ) and most recently on secondment to Te Puni Kokiri (Ministry of Maori Development) helping the New Zealand Maori Tourism Council.

I formed my own company - Tourism Unplugged Ltd - at the start of August. What's in a name?

Tourism = a cultural exchange between a visitor and a host that leaves both parties enriched with more knowledge and contributes to world peace.
Unplugged = “to free from an obstruction”, raw, unencumbered, revealed, expanded, uncovered.

So, my intention is to serve this definition of tourism unencumbered by the barriers of working for someone else. This allows me to be free to persue my own interests in tourism and to serve it using my skills and experience to the very best of my ability.

This blog, I hope, will encourage discussion on some of the issues that face our sector. It won't go anywhere but it's good letting it out! So - be inspired, unencumbered and frank. Let's explore and give voice to our own thoughts. Who knows, we may change the world!

Tourism - a vehicle for peace

2007-08-03T13:18:00.000-07:00

Yeah right! I hear you say. Well think about it though.... a visitor meets a host from another country - they share time together, share thoughts, stories, histories, memories, They connect about family, the world, their homeland, etc. Both the visitor and the host leave enriched,they've connected with another culture, they may have been emotionally or spiritually enlightened, they know more than they did when they arrived and they leave understanding a bit more about the world. All this, in my humble opinion, leaves the world a better place and therefore contributes to world peace.

In the world today, particularly since 9/11, we know people are seeking to return to those values they long ago lost. Engaging with other cultures, particularly indigenous cultures who have often not been so quick to leave those values of old behind, enriches this planet. I don't believe it's any accident that visitors are seeking this authenticity in order to find themselves.

So, to those who think tourism is a crock and is contributing to New Zealand's demise ("I don't want this country overrun with tourists"), I challenge you to think about this. Perhaps the next time you meet a visitor you may see what I mean.

My New Zealand

2007-08-03T04:45:00.001-07:00

An Introduction

2007-08-03T02:52:00.000-07:00

Tena koe.

I don't know about you but I have some thoughts on what it means to be a kiwi. I was born here, in fact it's the only home my family has known for over 5 generations. Frankly, I'm sick of everyone seeing New Zealand on a fast track to being a third world country.

I lived in the USA for nearly 5 years and know how special this place is to visitors from other countries. We are a relatively young country against the rest of the world - we need to give ourselves a break! I welcome the debate on the Treaty of Waitangi, on being a republic, on race relations, the flag and the myriad of other topics that hit us every day in the news. Why? Because we can - that's what freedom is about.

Now, we know as NZrs, this is the best place on the planet - but the rest of the world doesn't know - in fact they mostly don't give a shit. So I reckon we need to sort our own stuff out, deal to the issues - not by ignoring them but by debating them and finding our common ground - whatever the issues are.

We live in a democracy, that means each vote counts. Nothing will change unless we the people change - that means we need to share our voice, to speak our thoughts and stand up for what we believe. Voting allows us the right to be heard. This blogging thing allows us an opportunity too.

So.... I'm really keen to hear what you think. Go for it!