New i-SITE for Te Awamutu

Story Courtesy of Te Awamutu Visitor Information Centre

Rhonda Kay, Te Awamutu Visitor Information Centre Manager

Te Awamutu is offering new i-SITE to visitors in the region.

The Te Awamutu Visitor Information Centre has obtained accreditation to be re-branded as an i-SITE Visitor Centre this week, heralding a higher level of services for visitors to Te Awamutu and surrounding districts.

George Hickton, Chief Executive of Tourism New Zealand says the new signage that will appear on the Te Awamutu Visitor Information Centre on Gorst Avenue will help to create a clear path for visitors who are searching for accurate and relevant information on New Zealand.

George Hickton

“New Zealand has come a long way since the first visitor information centres were set up”, he said. “This rebrand is well overdue, with the visitor information network retaining the same branding since it was set up by the New Zealand Publicity Department in 1990.”

He says the new i-SITE branding will work to create consistency in New Zealand’s tourism activity, which will have a benefit for our country as a tourism destination.

“i-SITE visitor centres use the internationally recognized ‘i’ symbol and the silver fern elements in a modern and efficient way” he says.

“The stylized fern appears throughout all trade training and marketing of New Zealand offshore, whether it be the internet, print or broadcast advertising, as part of the 100% Pure New Zealand branding and the Tourism New Zealand logo.”

“The Qualmark brand also recently adopted the fern as part of their identity and now with the i-SITE brand, there is a continuity that will prove very useful for visitors travelling around New Zealand.”

“We believe it is vital that visitors receive advice that is accurate, comprehensive and is from a reliable and knowledgeable source. Service and knowledge are paramount in the Te Awamutu Visitor Information Centre's philosophy. Our accreditation and subsequent new i-SITE signage recognizes that the Te Awamutu Visitor Centre embraces this philosophy’ says Centre Manager Rhonda Kay.

Kerry Marshall, Chairman of VIN Inc. says the new branding will also assist in spreading the economic benefit of tourism out to the regions.

“The new look creates a distinctive brand that will distinguish the official Network from other information centres,” he says. “It will also assist in directing both domestic and international visitors to the regions, enabling greater economic benefit to VIN Inc stakeholders.”

“We are all looking forward to seeing the brand in action as the new signage is rolled out.”