The team will also prepare four sub-regional visitor strategies. The project is aiming to achieve a coherent regional picture backed by the four sub-regional identities and priorities. The key focus is on destination management issues with a emphasis on infrastructure that will enable growth within the sub regions and across the Bay of Plenty as a whole.

The first round of workshops was held in Taupo, Rotorua, Tauranga and Whakatane in January to identify the key areas of opportunity and gaps for focus by local, regional and central government and industry stakeholders, including iwi, around infrastructure, assets and capacity. Further discussions and workshops are planned for February with the draft strategies due for completion in March.