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As Kiwis gear up for the long weekends leading into Easter and Anzac Day, the search for local getaway destinations has increased dramatically, with Taupō as a standout choice.
According to Booking.com data, searches for Taupō have tripled compared to last year.
Patrick Dault, general manager of Destination Great Lake Taupō shared insights on what some of these contributions of interest are and says “Hosting the Vinfast IRONMAN70.3 World Champs was a game changer for the Destination. The international exposure associated with that event galvanized the reputation of the Taupō region as a world-class destination. Images of the lake, mountains and the town resulted in tangible outcomes, such as CNN’s top 50 places to visit in 2025 (January 2025) and the recognition of the Taupō region as one of the most welcoming destinations in the world by Booking.com (January 2025).”
“The decision to host these events wasn’t simply strong leadership from the events team, an ambitious vision from our council but also a commitment from our community. It truly speaks volumes to the Taupō community as a collective welcome to manuhiri. This is also an accolade to our tourism operators, as the Booking.com recognition, whilst driven by accommodation review, also often incorporate visitor experiences in the overall destination appreciation.”
With the surge in popularity, Taupō is strategically increasing what it has to offer, to entice both locals and tourists. Patrick says “The focus for Destination Great Lake Taupō has been on strategic storytelling. Understanding what our visitors and our residents feel makes the Taupō district a special place. Our focus has been on finding the unique stories, developing inspiring content; highlighting the fact the region is really special for its natural, community and cultural assets – but also connecting visitors with tourism operators to make their stay extra special. “We haven’t taken for granted that visitors and locals alike, all long for something to discover.”
He says the importance of the emotional connection visitors have with Taupō is also important. “It’s not just about promoting attractions—it’s about sharing the way Taupō makes people feel. We’re working with locals, creators, and businesses to capture those moments and share them in a way that’s real and relatable. Because great places to live make great places to visit, and we want people to experience the best of both.”
As the town prepares for the upcoming winter season, Patrick says “Our strategy has been to develop an insatiable curiosity when developing content. We want to own the consumer space. So ahead of the winter season, it’s about connecting with our operators that offer enhanced experiences in the winter and how they connect our visitors with locals and our region. It’s about better understanding how each of the region’s districts offers unique experiences and that visitors haven’t really explored the district until they’ve ventured into Tūrangi and Mangakino.”
With winter approaching, he highlights the magic that the season brings: “Taupō is a four-season destination, and winter brings its own kind of magic. It’s not just about skiing (though we’ve got that too); it’s about the warm cafés, the winter hikes, the community events, and the quiet beauty of the lake in the cooler months. Our goal? To help visitors see Taupō through the eyes of the people who love it most.”
