Visitor Centre receives top Qualmark score - 24/06/2011The Wanganui Visitor Centre i-SITE on Taupo Quay has retained its Qualmark Endorsement and improved on its previous assessment with an overall score of 88.4% - well above the pass mark of 60%.
During the comprehensive on-site assessment the Centre, staffing and business operations were examined in detail, with a specific focus on the quality of customer service, staff training and welfare, environmental responsibility as well as cultural and heritage considerations.
“We have made a large investment to ensure our Information Centre alongside the Whanganui River is the best in the country so we were confident of achieving a good score,” Discover Wanganui Committee Chair Cr Rob Vinsen said.
“It was great to get good, constructive feedback across the board. We still have work to do, but the Visitor Centre team is to be congratulated for the level of customer service offered, as this was one of the areas where we gained the maximum score.”
The Visitor Centre opened in October 2010, right at the start of the tourist season, and is proving popular with locals as well as visitors to Wanganui. Staff are noticing an increasing number of ‘regulars’, attracted by the Quay Gallery and new additions to the range of Wanganui and New Zealand themed gifts, while others drop in to find out about events or catch up with friends at the adjoining café.
The Visitor Centre team is highly experienced and can put together itineraries for travel anywhere in New Zealand at no cost to the customer. Any accommodation or travel booking outside Wanganui earns commission for the Centre, helping to reduce the burden on the ratepayer. | 
