Fresh take on adventure tourism
16 Dec 2008
Adventure tourism in New Zealand has a new contender with one South Island motel owner involving his guests in a very Kiwi outdoor pursuit - lawn mowing.
The 100% Pure New Zealand experience came about when a Singaporean family fresh off their flight checked into the Ashleigh Court Motel in Riccarton, Christchurch, just as owner Steve Peters was about to mow the lawns.
Apartment dweller
The father of the visiting party commented that because his family lived in an apartment, mowing lawns was something he had never done. Ten minutes later he was wielding the motel mower, followed by his son, wife and sister-in-law who were all keen to start their New Zealand holiday with a new experience.
"They were such a nice family and while it was all good fun, they were deadly serious and genuinely wanted to try out lawn mowing," said Peters.
The big 'S'
Mr Peters said the father spent time seriously concentrating on mowing in straight lines while his wife created a big 'S' on the motel's front lawn.
The 10-member Singaporean family group is in New Zealand for an adventure holiday which, according to Steve Peters, got off to a flying start.
Move over bungy
"I reckon I'm on to something here," says Peters who prides himself on giving visitors a genuine Kiwi welcome. "Bungy jump in Queenstown, the Shotover jet, rafting the Buller or mowing Steve's lawns at the motel! As a motel business owner I like to offer international guests a big NZ welcome and take any opportunity I can to enhance their NZ experience," he said.
Ashleigh Court has a large front lawn and seven smaller ones so Peters is very keen to encourage other novices to try the lawn mowing experience.
"I've got three sons myself and funnily enough none of them has ever volunteered to try lawn mowing," he said.
Big Kiwi welcome
Whether the lawn mowing becomes a novel new Kiwi experience or not, the motel's commitment to providing a genuine New Zealand welcome obviously pays off. Despite many tourism operators experiencing slow times, Peters says his motel is thriving and has enjoyed 86 percent occupancy over the past month.
"We've been flat out like a bulldog eating porridge," says Peters. "We thoroughly enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world, it's fun and it really isn't hard to be nice to people."
Peters says he's also happy to share other motel jobs. "As well as lawn mowing there's always gardening and wood chopping!" he says.
These topics may also be of interest to you
|
