Kāpiti Coast District Council has been formally recognised as a District Tourism Organisation, strengthening the district’s position within the national tourism system.
The recognition took effect on 1 July and formally acknowledges the destination tourism role already being delivered across Kāpiti Coast.
For the district, DTO status creates a stronger platform to support the visitor economy, grow destination activity and connect Kāpiti Coast into national tourism conversations.
Kāpiti Coast Mayor Janet Holborow says the recognition will help raise the district’s profile within the visitor sector and support ongoing work to promote Kāpiti Coast as a destination.
“DTO membership formally recognises the destination tourism role already being delivered in Kāpiti,” Mayor Holborow says.
“While we officially became a DTO on 1 July, the membership has already strengthened our connection to national tourism discussions and opened more opportunities to work with other DTOs and Regional Tourism Organisations to promote Kāpiti as a destination, grow visitor experiences and attract future investment.”
What DTO status means for Kāpiti Coast
A District Tourism Organisation plays an important role in destination development, visitor economy activity, sector connection and tourism advocacy.
For Kāpiti Coast, this recognition provides a clearer position within the wider tourism system and supports the district’s ability to contribute to conversations around tourism infrastructure, regional marketing and visitor services.
It may also help open pathways to future central government tourism support, which is generally directed through approved tourism bodies such as Regional Tourism Organisations and District Tourism Organisations.
DTO status comes at an important time for the visitor sector, with central government recently releasing new tourism policy settings and future investment direction.
Being part of the national network helps ensure Kāpiti Coast is better placed to understand, contribute to and respond to future opportunities.
Building on existing destination work
The recognition builds on destination activity already underway across the district.
The Economic Development Kotahitanga Board and Kāpiti Coast Tourism Advisory Board have been supporting enhanced delivery across destination branding and marketing, product development, industry capability, research and insights, and event strategy.
These areas are all important parts of a strong destination tourism function and have helped position Kāpiti Coast for formal DTO recognition.
Mayor Holborow acknowledged the contribution of both boards in helping the district reach this point.
“We acknowledge the valuable mahi of both boards in helping us reach this point,” she says.
“Officially being recognised as a DTO comes at an important time for our tourism sector.”
