The Thames Town Promotion Project is kicking off with a public meeting at the Thames Civic Centre Conference Room next week on Thursday, December 3.

This will be a chance for members of the community to meet project leader Craig Jones of Visitor Solutions Ltd who has been engaged by the Thames Community Board to deliver the project.

A public meeting about the Thames Town Promotion Project is taking place at the Thames Civic Centre Conference Room next week on Thursday, December 3. Photo: TCDC

Board chair Strat Peters says the programmes planned for 2016 will be outlined and is encouraging the community to head down to next week's meeting.

'We're thrilled to kick start a new phase of promotion for the town,” says Start. 'It's something that has been sorely needed for many years.”

Visitor Solutions was chosen by members of the board based on recommendations from a Stakeholder Working Group.

The company has worked on numerous tourism, art and community development projects, which includes the 2011 Waihi Gold Discovery Centre concept development.

Craig says the tourism industry is ever-changing but one thing always remains true: 'you have to stand out to succeed”.

'Providing that unique point of difference and continually monitoring and optimising the offer are some of the keys to ongoing success,” adds Craig.

Visitor Solutions will work closely with community and the established stakeholder group to develop and roll out the project strategy.

'It's exciting to see the project kick off,” says working group member Karl Edmonds. 'We really look forward to engaging with the community to optimise visitor growth and opportunity for our town.”

The community board's priorities in the project's first year are:

• Develop and promote a visitor attraction strategy and ‘brand' that reflects Thames' unique character and optimises visitor attraction.
• Provide promotional and coordination support to the Thames events community.
• Develop promotional tools and products including a renewed Thames-focused destination website.

The Thames Town Promotion Project public meeting takes place at the Thames Civic Centre Conference Room on Thursday, December 3, at 5.30pm. Light refreshments will be provided.

For more information about Visitor Solutions visit: www.visitorsolutions.net