Southproud.co.nz Summer Tour 2018
With a successful foundation year under her belt, Jennifer Branje is set to take South Island dedicated tourism website, Southproud.co.nz, on the road.
“Our guests are constantly on the move, exploring and discovering our beautiful South. I want to hear their stories and learn from them while encouraging a culture of stewardship and care”, says Jen.
Southproud.co.nz enables guests to navigate Southern Regions on one cohesive web/app that covers all districts. “Travellers told us they didn’t want to download several regional apps or search lots of sites for information so we developed a southern wide web/app. It’s constantly evolving as we add new listings and locations” she says.
Pamela Hopkins, owner of Otautau Gallery in Southland, frequently has customers who found her business using Southproud.co.nz. “We had a lady in from Melbourne the other day who has been using Southproud.co.nz as a travel resource and several other visitors who have mentioned they found us on the website. Having our business listed on Southproud.co.nz has increased our clientele and raised our public profile both domestically and internationally” says Pamela.
Jen will also be encouraging guests to use resources provided by New Zealand Mountain Safety Council. “Though Southproud.co.nz is a website, we are enticing guests to enjoy our great outdoors. In doing so, we must act as responsible hosts and give them the best tools available to prepare for outdoor excursions” she says. “MSC have some great resources and I’m pleased to help share their outdoor safety message”.
MSC CEO Mike Daisley is keen to reinforce their ‘Make It Home’ message, “If you plan well and make good decisions when you’re out there, you’ll be safer as an outcome of this approach. We want people to get out and explore our wonderful country, but we need to ensure they make it home as well.”
Southproud.co.nz has been well received by international guests and locals alike. “South Islanders are proud people. Not in a haughty, self-serving way, but in a quietly respectful manner. They have traditional values that are endearing to guests. Our people are our greatest asset” Jen says.
Besides showcasing activities, accommodation, amenities and attractions, Jen also has a message to share. “I called the website ‘Southproud’ for a reason. It’s about appreciation, and rekindling a culture of stewardship in our locals while encouraging a duty of care in our guests” she states. “People come from all over the world to enjoy our unique landscapes, flora and fauna. We must continue to be environmentally conscious and protect and preserve our natural heritage for generations to come”.
Jen will be touring the South Island from September 2018 to April, 2019.