Waimangu reinvents itself for domestic market

Waimangu Volcanic Valley general manager David Blackmore. Photo/Supplied.

One of Rotorua's top tourist attractions is opening up after lockdown and is offering major discounts to visitors as they look to reinvent themselves for the short-term without overseas tourists.

World-renowned Waimangu Volcanic Valley reopened to visitors yesterday after being closed for the last 12 weeks and is also celebrating the opening of its brand new store and cafe.

Waimangu Volcanic Valley general manager David Blackmore says his team welcomed their first visitors since the Covid-19 lockdown yesterday morning.

"During the forced closure period the team have been working hard to adapt the business to be even more locally focussed than before," says David.

He says while a few staff were made redundant the company has had to refocus its efforts on the domestic market for the time being and is offering discounts on all of their products.

The Inferno Crater at Waimangu. Photo/Supplied.

"Yesterday also marked the opening of the Waimangu Local Store and Cafe which looks to provide a warm welcome and somewhere that locals can meet, have great food, and pick up some essentials.

"This is the first of many initiatives to come which are targeted at attracting more domestic visitors," says David.

"Many New Zealanders know the story of the Pink and White Terraces and Waimangu gives them the chance to explore the stories in the youngest geothermal area in the world, and to cruise over the top of the lost Pink and White Terraces on Lake Rotomahana.

"The terraces were the original tourism attraction for New Zealand and, just as the area regenerated after the Tarawera eruption, Waimangu is regenerating again.

"This is an amazing and beautiful place that offers a rich history and legacy that we want to share with as many Kiwis as we can.

"So we have put in place some super reopening specials that will be in place for the remainder of 2020," says David.

For example, the full Waimangu experience and boat cruise would usually cost $206 for a family of two adults and up to three children and is now $99.

Single adult entry to the valley with boat cruise is down from $85 to $40, with senior citizens paying only $35 for the same experience.

To visit the valley only, a family of five will pay just $45.

David says the full range of deals are available at www.waimangu.co.nz.

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