Cycling in New Zealand
If I see a bandwagon, I usually run. Bandwagons aren't cool. For the last year or so I've been making clever remarks about John Key's cycleway plans, bandwagons, blinkered tourism chiefs, yes-men and so on. Now I have to admit that it looks like it's working. (and also that Tourism NZ look like they are becoming a lot more useful and in touch too!!!) This makes me very happy. The bigger the budget aligned with good strategies, the better for all of us.
In the past, when clients have asked us about cycling in New Zealand we have disuaded them. Too dangerous, not properly supported. And on the main roads, this remains largely true. But with the Central Otago Rail Trail leading the way and a number of other initiatives around the country, we can see some beautiful parts of New Zealand being opened up. And off-the-beaten track too, which gets another thumbs up from all of us. The quality of some of the people tasked with bringing the cycleway to life in their part of the country is truly exceptional.
This is now an area which we are taking seriously and will be developing over the next few months together with carefully selected partners. We will be integrating these routes into something deeper and higher quality than pedalling across an unmetalled surface and focusing on 1-3 day luxury experiences. As the luxury market moves slowly and many overseas agents are tied into unimaginative distribution networks it will take a little while to bring this to life across the country as a whole. But direct clients and our agents will have access to this for the next season, 2010-2011.
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