The highly successful New Zealand Cycle Trail Guide has just been recognised as a finalist in the 2016 New Zealand Tourism Awards for its substantial impact on regional tourism.
 
The guide, a collaborative effort between the team at AA Traveller and Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail Inc. organisation is a finalist in the Industry Alignment Award category.
 
AA Traveller General Manager Moira Penman says the award nomination recognises the significant impact AA Traveller and Nga Haerenga are having on achieving Tourism 2025 goals of encouraging regional tourism during peak and off peak seasons. 
 
“Growing domestic tourism is at the heart of AA Traveller and it’s fantastic to see our success in this area being recognised at the highest industry levels,” she says.
 
Many of the Great Rides of the New Zealand Cycle Trail are seeing huge increases in the number of visitors per year. The boost has had a major impact on regional businesses which have thrived off the increased traffic on the trails with reports also showing more than 1200 jobs have since been created.
 
“We’ve seen places like Lake Ohau and Ohakune, which traditionally only boom in the winter, grow to have healthy tourism seasons all year round as popularity of the cycle trails in these areas increases,” says Ms Penman.
 
The third edition of the New Zealand Cycle Trail Guide recently hit shelves throughout the country with a fourth edition currently underway. Its popularity, even in shoulder and off peak seasons, has seen AA Traveller increase print runs to keep up with growing demand.
 
Published by AA Traveller, The New Zealand Cycle Trail Guide is packed full of information on the Great Rides of the New Zealand Cycle Trail. It includes maps, advice on trail sections, section grades, time to allow, trail quality and other nearby attractions to visit.
 
The New Zealand Cycle Trail Guide is available free at AA Centres, i-SITE locations, selected accommodation and attraction providers and partners. Information on all the Great Rides and Heartland Rides in Nga Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail national project can also be found at www.aatraveller.co.nz or www.nzcycletrail.com.
 
AA Traveller has helped Kiwis see the best of New Zealand for more than 100 years. It publishes and distributes more than three million guides and maps every year, and provides travellers with a wealth of information to inspire and assist them in planning travel and to make accommodation bookings on aatraveller.co.nz or at any AA Centre.