TCO launches new regional website
A revamped Central Otago regional tourism, economic development and community website was launched last week – www.centralotagonz.com.
CentralOtagoNZ.com is Tourism Central Otago's main marketing tool in distributing travel information to visitors throughout New Zealand and the world.
The new look website boasts advanced functionality and its new design incorporates inspirational content encouraging visitors to plan their next holiday here in Central Otago.
The responsive website was developed over the last six months to improve functionality and accessibility of information to align with the growth in usage of tablets and smart phones.
Led by Tourism Central Otago, and including input from the Economic Development and Community Development managers, the website offers an optimised experience for all site visitors regardless of the device they are using.
Website development was supported by Tauranga-based Reserve Group, who specialise in website and content management systems for tourism organisations in New Zealand and across the South Pacific.
Matthew Hattie, project leader for the Reserve Group, said the team had researched current "best of breed" websites from around the globe to ensure Central Otago's web presence would be market leading.
"Gathering inspiration from around the world we used Central Otago's strong brand identity to create a design that was on trend but that also uses solid design methodology to ensure it doesn't date. At all times throughout the process, the goals of the user and those of Tourism Central Otago were considered before any design decision was made."
Behind the scenes the business listings on the www.centralotagonz.com site have also had an overhaul with new capabilities to display social media links, showcase imagery and a refined categorisation system for locating businesses.
Tourism Central Otago's Digital Marketing specialist Anthony Longman, who oversaw the project, said the team was excited about the possibilities the new design and structure offered.
"We are now able to align our online marketing alongside our traditional campaign based activities in different markets.
"The improvements in structure and navigation ensure that visitors and locals will be able to locate the key details they need to plan their holidays, or locate a business or community group in a quicker and more intuitive manner."
For operators the new website provides the functionality to add online booking through the Book It online site to their listings, and improved shopping cart functionality for visitors or locals to order mementos, gifts or souvenirs online.