More than 100 people attended the second Otago Trails Forum, an afternoon of sharing learnings for businesses and stakeholders to build momentum around the trail network on Thursday.

Speakers were professional athlete Dougal Allan, who was a Team New Zealand cyclor in the 37th America’s Cup winning team in Barcelona in 2024, along with an adventure racer with Ironman, triathlon and Coast to Coast titles. 

Dougal Allan said living in Central allows "the best of both worlds" – remote training locations and access to modern conveniences like cafes. PHOTO: The Central App

Adventure South general manager Phil Wyndham, Kinross winery chief executive Nicky Sygrove and Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trail general manager Janet Purdey presented, as did the trail managers and Trail Trusts in Otago. 

The purpose of the event was to review the 2024/2025 season and look ahead at the future challenges and opportunities for cycle tourism in Otago. 

The Central App director Vicki McLean said the forum was positive and she was blown away by the amazing work happening in the cycle tourism sector.

“The speakers were good, the opportunities for businesses are exciting. There was a sense of the jigsaw pieces all falling into place.”

Southern Trails Trust chief executive Janeen Wood shared updates on the Kawarau Gorge Trail project connecting Queenstown, through the Nevis Bluff to Centrals trails, along with the 13km link from Shingle Creek to Doctors Point in the Roxburgh Gorge Trail.   

Construction in the Kawarau is underway and for the 13km missing in Roxburgh construction is due to start in mid 2025. 

The Kawarau Gorge Trail, yellow indicates sections already completed. PHOTO: Supplied 

Held at The Finery there was a chance to network at the end of the afternoon of presentations. The forum was organised by Tourism Central Otago trails marketing executive Geoff Marks. 

Geoff said he hoped attendees came away feeling inspired, proud of the trails network, with new business connections, and ideas to implement within their businesses.

Find out more about Central’s trails on The Central App Cycling l Walking button.

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