One opportunity that seems to be increasing in demand is the request to host media. As an example, we have hosted many travel writers over the years and have given them either heavily reduced or FOC accommodation along with an insight into our region in the optimistic hope that our fine product and services would be praised in whatever publication they represented. It is often difficult to account for value in advance and it is up to accommodation providers to go with gut instinct and a Google search to weigh up if the time and opportunity cost is worth it.
All travel writers that we have hosted have been legitimate, however if we are honest the overall benefits of subsidising these folk has been somewhat marginal.
...So it is with interest that we learn that the Whaleoil Blog is all over the bizarre story of Pearl Going (full name: Sian-Pearl Going) who's background and motivation to sample the high-end tourism delights of Dunedin has been questioned by two accommodation providers.
Better go and check it out HERE...
