AUCKLAND – New Zealand’s plan to build a national cycleway, linking the lengths of the North and South Islands with bike paths, has been given a lukewarm reception by a leading German tour operator.
Bernd Rosner, general manager of the Best of Travel Group, said the target market for bike tours was very limited.
“It’s a very niche market, even in Germany and the Netherlands, where there are a lot of cyclists.â€
The cycleway is one of several planned infrastructure developments being pursued by Tourism New Zealand.
Another initiative is a national convention centre capable of handling up to 4,000 people. A feasibility study for the centre has been commissioned.
George Osborne, CEO of Tourism Auckland, said, “We have a great opportunity to grow the Australian market but we won’t do that without a national convention centre of New Zealand.â€
The NZ government is also looking at ways of improving the country’s cruise port facilities.
