Methven i-SITE & Mt Hutt Snow Centre share physical location

“The concept of a tourism ‘hub’ in the centre of Methven will gain many improvements on the current model within the town” says Experience Mid Canterbury’s general manger Nigel Birt. “From a visitor experience perspective, having access to district and ski area information for greater periods during the day will enhance their experience in the town. Also with a tourism hub concept open earlier in the mornings and later in the evenings, the town will have more of the atmosphere seen in Northern hemisphere ski destinations. A big challenge to the tourism industry in the districts of New Zealand is the promotion of a message that the area has ‘thriving towns with plenty to do’ which can be contradictory to reality when a tourist arrives at 6pm and most retailers are closed. It’s a challenge for tourists and businesses alike, and pretty much a double edged sword.” says Mr Birt.

“With the sharing of staff and physical resources between the Methven i-SITE and Mt Hutt’s Methven snow centre, both entities will be able to achieve greater operating hours than in previous years without incurring additional costs. The combined centre will also enhance visitation to the Methven heritage centre NZ Alpine and Alpine Encounter” hoped Mr Birt. “In this combined physical presence each business unit assists in attracting visitor potential to the other units, in a similar fashion to that of the successful mall concept. It’s important in the challenging tourism environments of recent times, that tourism business and secondary support retailers explore options collectively to provide more service and offerings to visitors, while protecting their operating costs.” A problem occurs when tourists arrive in any town and there are not open shops, dinning establishments or attractions. “Visitors often move on quickly, don’t refer the location upon their return home, or worse describe it as a bit of a ghost town’. It is hoped that this initiative will assist in confronting these challenges.

The ‘Snow Centre Hub’ will include Mt Hutt frontline staff working from the i-SITE counter and Mt Hutt Skibus picking up and dropping off from outside the centre. Opening hours will be 7.15am -6pm 7 days from June – October this winter.