Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism launched the "Come Out and Play" promotion last year that encouraged locals to get their friends and family to come for a visit. We like this concept and by all accounts this was very successful.
Tourism promotion 101 is to encourage local communities to invite friends and family to stay with them. Often this foundation of tourism promotion is overlooked by tourism bodies that would prefer to chase the glamor of overseas marketing.
The tragedy of owning a motel means that it is difficult to sell the notion that the in-laws should stay in alternative accommodation when they visit.
My wife announced today that her mother is coming to visit next week. Bugger! Guess which motel she will be staying in?
