DEVELOPMENT OF VISITOR INFORMATION SOUTHLAND

In 2002/03 Venture Southland facilitated the development of Visitor Information Southland. The key aim of this network of information centres was to provide a system that offered more support to members throughout the province while streamlining and co-ordinating visitor information services.

This network will help to increase communication, as Southland’s services range from official i-SITE information networks in Gore, Stewart Island, Te Anau and Invercargill, through to centres in smaller, isolated Southland areas.

Some of these smaller centres are operated by local community groups and volunteers such as the Waikawa Museum in the Catlins. They have an important role to play as the number of people (in particular, Free and Independent Travellers) travelling to these areas is increasing. It is hoped that the members of this Network will provide support for each other.

A key objective of the Network is to ensure that the information given to visitors in Southland is consistent and accurate, no matter which information centre it came from.