Nelson’s i-SITE visitor centre will close at the end of the month as a decline in visitors and bookings has meant the business model is “no longer viable”.
Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA), which manages i-SITE, made the announcement over the weekend, citing changes in visitor behaviour and the lack of international visitors over the past two years.
NRDA says, although the borders are reopening, demand for the i-SITE’s services over the coming summer is not expected to be high.
The Millers Acre site will close on June 30 for a period of up to 24 months to allow the NRDA to come up with a new plan on how to offer visitor information.
The Department of Conservation Visitor Centre at Millers Acre will continue to operate at the current site and is unaffected by the i-SITE closure.
NRDA says there has been a substantial decline in visitor volumes and decreased bookings at the i-SITE over the past 10 years as changing visitor needs and behaviour, particularly moves online, have meant in-person information and bookings have become less relevant to many visitors.
The change and decline have sharply accelerated since Covid-19, to a point that services can no longer be sustained on the current model.
“It is time to review and rethink the provision of visitor information to be fully relevant to our future visitors as we plan for their return over the coming 18 months,” says Fiona Wilson, chief executive of NRDA.
“Pausing the i-SITE, gives us the time to seek a new solution for visitors that will better fit their future needs while ensuring a new operation will be financially viable”
NRDA visitor destination manager Tracee Neilson says the closure presents the opportunity to “something innovative” in delivering visitor information.
“During the pausing of the physical i-SITE we can revamp our visitor services to provide innovative and cost-effective services that will benefit both visitors and locals. We now have the time to better understand future visitor needs as we are already aware that visitors are pre-booking more of their itineraries before leaving home.”
NRDA say their focus over the next 12 months will be to continue to support the region’s tourism businesses and build on strategies to influence via online and digital marketing.
Christchurch, Oamaru and Invercargill have also closed their i-SITEs over the past few years.
Fiona says staff will be “fully supported” as NRDA works through the coming months.
The i-SITE will close its doors on 30 June, however the phone line (03-548 2304) and email address (nelsonisite@nelsontas man.nz) will continue to operate and be managed by NRDA.
Over the next few months, the NRDA will be working closely with the Nelson City Council to ensure visitor services in Nelson during this time can continue. A detailed transition plan will be announced in the coming weeks.
