Epic exposure for Central Otago
24 September 2015
Tourism Central Otago (TCO) gained great exposure for the region recently at the Flight Centre Active Travel Cycle Epic held near Brisbane in Australia.
This year's Cycle Epic was one of the biggest yet, with more than 1850 mountain bikers and trail runners participating in eight different events across the two-day event weekend. An additional 3000 spectators flocked to the event to support competitors and more than 300 children participated in events on Saturday.
Held at the scenic property of Spicer's Hidden Vale and Hidden Vale Adventure Park, the events took all participants along the various trails of the 12000-acre property. Throughout the weekend there was plenty to do for all riders, racers, families, friends, spectators and support crews, with helicopter rides, a jumping castle, pony lead rides, a rock climbing wall and swimming and of course, a trail run or mountain biking event for every age and ability.
As a sponsor TCO was given naming rights to one of the events: The Central Otago NZ 4.2km Trail Run.
Tourism Manager Pam Broadhead said it was a well-supported family event and TCO got excellent exposure presenting Central Otago branded drink bottles on the podium to all the age group winners.
"TCO was provided with a marquee in an excellent location in the main thoroughfare beside the entrance to the registration desks, which was busy all through Saturday.
"On Sunday we were moved to a different location near the finish line of the longer Epic races. This was another good location amongst the crowds watching the competitors arrive back from the 50km and 87km events."
Mrs Broadhead said that people "were very interested in the proposition of holidaying in Central Otago and were often aware of the Otago Central Rail Trail and had it on their bucket list".
"Many people we spoke with were somewhere in the planning phase for a family holiday to New Zealand. This meant it a great face-to-face opportunity to convince them of the key benefits of holidaying in Central Otago, to answer questions and gather information to help to secure bookings."
TCO collected 262 entries for the seven-day Central Otago cycling holiday prize and the lucky winner was extremely excited to hear he had won.
Mrs Broadhead said it was "an added bonus" to have found some Central Otago expats and friends living in the area who formed a Central Otago team and rode in the 50km Pursuit.
"All did well in their age group categories and were great ambassadors for the regional brand out on the trails."