Alexandra and Cromwell Information Centres have formally informed Tourism Central Otago (TCO) they would no longer be providing an official staffed service.

Unichem Alexandra Pharmacy and Forage Cafe had a Memorandum of Understanding since 2020 with TCO to provide bookings for visitors, as well as being agents for Intercity buses.

The Gate manager Glen Christiansen told the Central App, when contacted, that the model was no longer right for the business, and it was not a decision they made lightly.

“We’re sad about not being able to provide the service, but however, if people still walked off the street we’ll still look after them because we are a customer-based industry.”

But, he said Forage Cafe would no longer be an official Information Centre, and that would include removing signage.

The decision by the Central Otago District Council to close its Alexandra i-Site in 2020 and move it from Central Stories Museum to the Unichem Alexandra Pharmacy, near the monument, caused some controversy in the community.

Eight jobs in total were lost and many people spoke out, saying it was a shame to close the i-Site and move it away from a place people were familiar with.

Unichem Alexandra Pharmacy owner Chris Galbraith said she had invested a lot of money into her business model, and had been the only one in New Zealand with an Information Centre, “so it was a bit out of left field.”

“We took it on as an opportunity and we were really excited about it. But, it didn’t align well with my business, being a health business, and we had to make our own visitor centre effectively.”

But, with no council funding and setting up during Covid-19 it had been really challenging.

“We did our best but we can’t viably do this. The model just doesn’t work.”

The Information Centre, which has been available to people at Forage in Cromwell. PHOTO: Supplied

Unlike Forage, however, Chris was reluctant to completely shut down her Information Centre, and the signage would remain, as well as the dedicated space inside the pharmacy.

“I’m pretty reluctant to throw it away.”

A brand refresh of i-Sites nationally was currently underway, and both Ranfurly and Roxburgh were part of that, with new signage going up over the next few weeks. Both sites were still funded by the council. 

Head of destination Anthony Longman told the council yesterday there was no intention for both Alexandra and Cromwell to become an ‘enhanced’ i-Site like others around the country.

Dunedin and Napier remodelling was currently underway and both were undergoing huge refits to align with the new branding.

Considering the operational changes by the two Information Centres, Tourism Central Otago contacted Intercity (Entrada Group) to advise that there was still a community and visitor need for a bus booking agent in Alexandra and Cromwell. 

Entrada advised they did not have any current plans to find new agents. Customers would now have to contact them by phone, email or complete online bookings for bus tickets or enquiries.

Group manager - Community Vision Dylan Rushbrook told the council he was “absolutely keen,” and hopeful that someone else would run with the Information Centre model.

“We’re hoping that someone will see the need or the opportunity,” Anthony said.

As part of the nationwide review of I-Site services, it was noted that while some tourists made bookings in person, often they were not looking to make their decisions while visiting the centres, and more often booked online.