A new tourism platform designed to showcase the best of Great Barrier Island (Aotea) is set to launch next month, with a focus on helping local businesses keep more of the money generated by visitors.
Visit Great Barrier (visitgreatbarrier.nz) opens to the public on August 9, bringing accommodation, experiences, local products and trip planning together in a single destination. Registrations are now open for accommodation providers, experience operators and local artisans.
The platform has been built around the idea that visitors come to Great Barrier for more than just a place to sleep.
“We’re not selling beds. We’re sharing everything that makes Great Barrier unforgettable,” VGB said.
“There aren’t many places where world-class artists, fishermen, conservationists, musicians, craftspeople, guides and entrepreneurs all live in a community of little more than 1,000 people. We think that’s something worth celebrating.”
“Whether it’s a fishing charter, diving lesson, hunting trip, sailing adventure, surfing, paintball, a night under the Dark Sky, learning about Te Ao Māori and settler history, or taking home locally made pottery, woodwork or artwork, the goal is to connect people with the island’s creativity, culture and environment.”
Visitors can build personalised itineraries by selecting their interests and how many days they plan to stay, creating anything from a relaxed escape to a packed adventure.
“The website matches accommodation with rental vehicles, tours and experiences so visitors can spend less time planning and more time enjoying the island. Every holiday looks different, and we wanted a platform that reflects that.”
Operators can synchronise accommodation calendars to allow instant online bookings, while the site’s backend enables accommodation providers and experience operators to coordinate directly, helping streamline visitor bookings.
Visit Great Barrier says it has deliberately kept booking fees well below those charged by major international platforms.
“We charge a 10 per cent booking fee, which covers hosting, payment processing and the costs of running the platform. The aim is to help locals retain more of the value created by tourism.”
The launch comes as many of the island’s larger accommodation businesses are on the market, at a time when tourism operators continue to recover from the combined impacts of Covid-19, caulerpa restrictions and the wider economic slowdown.
“It’s no secret the visitor economy has had a tough few years. Sustainable tourism supports local jobs, local businesses and the wider community, and that’s what Visit Great Barrier is designed to strengthen.”
A key feature of the website is its online marketplace, Get Something Great, allowing artists, craftspeople and producers to sell their work year-round to people who love Great Barrier but cannot always visit.
“Our creative community produces incredible work, and this gives people another way to support island makers while sharing a piece of Great Barrier with the rest of New Zealand.”
People wanting to list accommodation, experiences or products can register now at visitgreatbarrier.nz
Support is also available for businesses needing help with photography, creating listings or refining existing content by emailing [email protected].
