Motorhome friendly tick
Published on 16 January 2014
16 January 2014
Thanks to a series of ‘ticks’, the Whanganui area is recognised as motorhome friendly, and now has the signs to prove it.
Chairman of the New Zealand Motorhomes and Caravans Association Wanganui Area, Kevin O’Sullivan, met with Mayor Annette Main on Wednesday to admire the ‘motorhome friendly’ sign on Anzac Parade (State Highway 4). There are three other signs in the district, at each main entrance to the city.
The signs let motorhome travellers know they can expect all the facilities they require to enjoy their stay in the district.
To become motorhome friendly, suitable dumping stations and amenities such as sufficient parking are required. A dump station is available for motorhome users in Springvale Park next to the Splash Centre, while another will be built in Hatrick Street opposite the Fire Station.
Mr O’Sullivan says the status is likely to encourage more motorhome users to visit and he is glad to be working with the Wanganui District Council to promote the district as a destination for motorhome travellers.
“Motorhome visitors who stay here tell me they enjoy our heritage buildings and our magnificent awa. A lot of them tell me they didn’t realise what a pretty city this is. With this new status we are letting them know we are a friendly community with the all the amenities and that is really important to them.
“Now they can see the motorhome friendly status on our website and think to themselves, ‘we will go there’. There have already been quite a lot more travellers this season.”
Mayor Annette Main says motorhome travellers are a significant visitor group for the district.
“Motorhome travellers range from baby boomers who enjoy the luxury of travelling in their own home on wheels to younger people from around New Zealand and the world who travel in vans or campervans. All of these visitors can use the facilities our district provides for them.”
She says the recent statistics which suggested a decline in visitor numbers did not include motorhome users, who are significant contributors to our local economy as they purchase goods and services.
“Not only do this group of visitors spend their money in our district, if they have a great time enjoying our events and our natural and built environment they will promote us to their friends and family. It's up to us to ensure they have every opportunity to discover and enjoy the aspects of life here that we as residents sometimes take for granted.”