Great Ride investment to keep wheels turning in Northland

Investment of $1 million is set to enhance Northland's Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail, improving the visitor experience, upgrading visitor facilities, and creating new cultural and tourism experiences, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says. “This investment will help the trail attract more domestic and international visitors to the region while supporting local businesses and jobs,” Louise Upston says. “Funding will enable improved trail infrastructure, better connections to the Bay of Islands, upgraded visitor amenities, and improvements to accessibility so that more people can enjoy this outstanding Great Ride. “Cycle tourism continues to be an important contributor to regional economies, and it helps spread the benefit of tourism to more communities. “This new funding will support a trail reroute which enhances the visitor experience and provides an alternative cycling route as the vintage railway is reinstated. It also positions the region to capture even greater tourism and economic benefits, building on the estimated $22.8 million the trail already contributes each year to Northland’s economy. “Visitors want authentic experiences that help them connect w