Copthorne Mobilises New Offerings

Published 24 August 2011, Posted in Northland

“This project is a great example of Northland Tourism Innovation, we are probably the first major Hotel in New Zealand to have a mobility scooter available for hire.”

Guests at the Copthorne will have access to greater mobility around Waitangi and Paihia, thanks to a new partnership between Dove’s Tail and the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands, with financial support from Top Energy.

There is a new mobility scooter available for hire at the Waitangi Copthorne, which will provide a far greater holiday experience for tourists visiting the Bay of Islands with a mobility impairment. 

Dove’s Tail who operates commercially under the umbrella of Tiaho Trust is teaming up with the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands, to demonstrate the underlying commercial value of accessible tourism and to increase the accessibility of the Bay of Islands to disabled and mature tourists, seeking services and an environment that better suits their needs.

“Access tourists represent a huge burgeoning market” says Jonny Wilkinson, CEO of Tiaho Trust.  “But there is no use just talking about it” Wilkinson says. “To meaningfully engage with business you’ve actually got to prove the value proposition.  Having a mobility scooter for hire at a hotel proves that the disabled/mature market is very real and have their own particular needs.”

Dove’s Tail has developed a training package that teaches hotel staff how to give exceptional customer service to mature and disabled guests.

“The Waitangi Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands is interested in pursuing new markets” says Simon Boyle, General Manager of the Waitangi Copthorne.  “Northland is a very innovative tourist region,” says Bolye.  “This project is a great example of that, for instance we are probably the first major hotel in New Zealand to have a mobility scooter available for hire. 

We have given our staff specialised training that was delivered by Dove’s Tail Tourism and our staff were so enthusiastic about the concept of providing exceptional service to mature and disabled guests, that they chipped in together and fund raised to purchase a wheelchair for guests to use while staying with us.

We can also offer Bupa alarms to guests who have concerns about having a medical incident, while staying with us and we are offering a special room rate to guests wanting these features”

To find out more about this project contact Tiaho Trust or Dove’s Tail go to http://www.dovestail.co.nz