The recent closure of Mount Maunganui's only I-Site is certainly a backward step for this area and the wider Bay of Plenty. The area has been hard hit recently with the Rena grounding and to close a local I-Site in one of New Zealands top tourist locales is a sure slap in the face for all tourist activity and accommodation providers.
Tourism BOP head Mr Arrowsmith is putting all resources into creating a new I-Site situated on the port for the sole use of cruise ship passengers. Unfortunately all the other thousands of tourists who come to the Mount cannot gain access to the port to use the services that an I-Site has to offer.
When foreign and local tourists arrive in a town they want to know where to stay, and what there is to do. Unfortunately there is no one here to tell them so they leave town without seeing many of the beautiful sights and brilliant activities that this area has to offer.
Please sign this petition to get Tourism BOP and the Tauranga City Council to reopen the Mount Maunganui I-Site.