Visitor information ambassadors hit the streets
Nelson’s new visitor information ambassadors are hitting the streets equipped with blue vests, AI and a friendly welcome.
The pilot Nelson City Council and Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA) programme, with funding support from the Selwyn Foundation, started on Friday. The initial test period will run until April 30.
The aim is to fill a gap for face-to-face visitor information in the city after the closure of the Nelson i-site in June 2022.
The volunteer ambassadors for the programme are retired people.
“We recognise that some visitors still expect to be able to access visitor information via an in person experience,” said NRDA chief executive Fiona Wilson.
“We are looking forward to seeing how this initiative is received by visitors and our community to help us understand how viable and sustainable this approach is.”
Ambassadors will be wearing a blue vest, marked with “Visitor Information Ambassador” and displaying council and NRDA logos. They will also have photo identification.
An AI-powered tool has been developed with the help of funding through the Selwyn Foundation. It draws information from trusted local websites, including Department of Conservation and various tourism businesss along with the official destination website for the region (nelsontasman.nz) which is managed by NRDA.
During the pilot the ambassadors will be based at the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary office in Nelson City, starting at Millers Acre and making their way along Trafalgar St, weather permitting.
Twelve ambassadors are involved in the first test period, with two ambassadors on duty at a time; every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, as well as two Saturdays (April 12 and 26 April), from 10 am- 1pm.
The pilot programme is set to run until June next year when the council will determine its continuation long-term.
By Warren Gamble, Nelson Mail
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