The Whaingaroa Raglan Destination Management Organisation (WRDMO) is getting to know the ups and downs of tourism with a survey due to hit the streets soon.
In collaboration with University of Waikato researchers, the survey seeks to find out why holidaymakers visit Raglan, what they do when they’re here and if they’ll visit again.
Leading the project on behalf of the WRDMO, Jacqueline Anderson says the information survey results will be vital in shaping how Whāingaroa manages tourism in a way that works for everyone.
“Tourism is a big part of what keeps our local economy humming, but it’s also about protecting what makes Raglan special. This survey will help us understand what visitors value most and how we can ensure tourism continues to benefit both our community and our environment.”
Tourism Management Master’s student Christy Liu will be in Whaingaroa conducting the survey and, as well as surveying visitors, she is looking forward to getting insights on tourism from locals.
“I hope to learn their thoughts about local events, visitor behaviour, and community tourism development,” she says.
Christy has delivered questionnaires to the Community House and iHUB, and she will also invite participants to take part through short conversations in the town, cafés, and local shops.
“Through this research, I hope to help others better understand Raglan’s unique event culture and contribute to the community’s sustainable tourism development.”
Christy will be in Raglan until the end of January doing surveys and interviews on Wednesdays and on the weekends.
“With everyone’s support, I hope this project can bring more understanding of Raglan’s charm and potential, and provide meaningful insights for the community’s future development,” she says.
If you have any questions, you can contact the researchers via chris.ryan@waikato.ac.nz.