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Tauranga Airport is preparing to welcome an influx of holidaymakers over the next few weeks, with a freshly installed digital kiosk ready to guide and inspire their leisure options.
Up to 2000 passengers a day will arrive and depart on the airport’s busiest days, with most catching an Air New Zealand flight to or from Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch.
Other destination connections include Whangarei, Great Barrier Island, Whitianga, Gisborne, and Napier for passengers using Sunair or Barrier Air services.
Tauranga Airport manager Ray Dumble says he’s expecting a similar number of passengers to pass through the key city gateway as last summer.
“The digital kiosk that has just been installed by Tourism Bay of Plenty is going to be a great convenience for inbound non-resident travellers who might be unaware of how much great stuff is on offer in the Bay. It has been strategically placed at the baggage claim area where there is often some dwelling time for arriving passengers.”
The digital kiosk is one of four installed at key spots around Tauranga over the past year.
Others can be found outside the Mount Hot Pools, in the city centre’s Red Square, and at nearby Masonic Park on The Strand.
Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager Oscar Nathan says the 24-hour-a-day touchscreen kiosks are an essential part of the city’s new wayfinding and storytelling infrastructure.
“We’re creating a visually attractive, interactive set of digital tools to help visitors and locals discover, navigate, and learn about everything the city has to offer. This includes its history, events, attractions, activities, accommodation, special deals, hospitality options, transport, and weather information.
“This type of digital integration for contemporary wayfinding is an emerging trend in cities all over the world, so it’s been very exciting introducing these kiosks to Tauranga and seeing people using them.”
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment data shows the key activities New Zealanders most look forward to when they’re visiting the Coastal Bay of Plenty.
The Domestic Growth Insight Tool shows short natural wilderness walks, swimming at the beach, soaking in a thermal hot pool, visiting a theme or leisure park, shopping at a market, and eating at local restaurants are the top summer holiday preferences.
“We’re looking forward to our peak visitor season. Our region has so many options, whether visitors want the vibe and events at the most popular spots or the tranquility and relaxation of being a bit more off the grid. It’s usually only a short drive, and sometimes just a walk, between these very different experiences,” Oscar says.
“We’re proud of this beautiful place we call home and it’s a privilege to share it with visitors who want to enjoy memorable moments with their whānau and friends.”
