Facebook fan bags a surprise prize

by Kristy Martin | 5th April 2010

Perusing Facebook has had a major spin-off for a former Rotorua woman.

Amber Kedian signed up to be a fan of the Rotorua NZ Facebook page but had no idea she had just become the 3000th member - an honour which won her a bag full of goodies.

As part of a new marketing campaign, Destination Rotorua Tourism Marketing web development co-ordinator Adrian Hodge yesterday presented Mrs Kedian with a goodie bag to celebrate.

The goodies include vouchers for Rainbow Springs, Agroventures, Fat Dog and a beauty kit from the Polynesian Spa.

Mrs Kedian runs her own marketing company and said she had signed up to be a fan of the page because she was an advocate for Rotorua businesses. It was good to keep things local.

She liked that businesses around the city looked after the locals by offering discounts on various activities such as bungy jumping.

Winning a bag full of gifts was just a bonus.

"I think it's fantastic," she said.

While she had recently moved from Rotorua to Papamoa, she came back at least once a week and it was always a good thing.

"I think Rotorua holds a special place in most people's heart," Mrs Kedian said. "It's a very transient city and you will find that people will often come back after visiting."

Destination Rotorua Tourism Marketing is also gearing up for another campaign set to lure tourists from Sydney.

One hundred Australians will have the chance to win Air New Zealand tickets to Rotorua in May.

Advertising for the campaign has already started.

Facebook will play a large role in advertising with Destination Rotorua Tourism Marketing's latest website WinYourWayToRotorua.com.au.

The campaign is designed to highlight the "gateway to the region" created by the ongoing transtasman flights.

General manager Don Gunn said: "Australia provides one of our biggest tourist markets and with Rotorua now having an international airport, our focus is very much on the education of Australians to come and enjoy what our region has to offer."

The number of Australian visitors to New Zealand each year is rising, with the figure up 9.5 per cent for November 2009 over November 2008.

Rotorua is now perfectly placed to get a high percentage of those visitors.