Signage recognising the new partnership has been unveiled at the events complex and naming rights see the facility’s Grand Hall renamed the Wai Ora Spa Grand Hall.
Mayor Kevin Winters said he was pleased to welcome Hells Gate and Wai Ora Spa on board as the first tourism operator to commit to the city’s innovative and successful Rotorua Partners Programme.
CEO Bryan Hughes is also upbeat about the new partnership.
“Hells Gate and Wai Ora Spa is a home grown company, and embarking on this partnership demonstrates our support and acknowledgment of the Rotorua District Council’s initiative and proactive approach to growing the local economy. We see the development of the Energy Events Centre as a vital asset for Rotorua and our city’s future.”
“As a tourism operator we are particularly active in international marketing of Rotorua as a unique visitor destination, and these activities are clearly complementary to the marketing work of the Energy Events Centre team,” said Mr Hughes.
Event Venues general manager Peter McLeod says the relationship is mutually beneficial.
“We’re looking forward to working with Hells Gate and Wai Ora Spa to offer their outstanding facilities to Energy Events Centre clients, and also joining forces to promote the events centre to international conference and incentive markets.“
Mr MacLeod said with Hells Gate and Wai Ora Spa incorporating strong cultural elements in its own tourism products, it seemed particularly apt for the business to take on naming rights for the Energy Events Centre’s Grand Hall.
“The newly renamed Wai Ora Spa Grand Hall incorporates a unique blend of traditional and contemporary Maori design elements including the illuminated carved Pou, impressive carved doors and large scale stylised wall motifs.”
Hells Gate and Wai Ora Spa began operation in 1996, and over the years has grown with the mud bath concept being developed in 2000 and expanded a year later to include the Wai Ora Spa.
The Hells Gate geothermal reserve is a well known Rotorua visitor destination and its full spa facilities now include traditional massages, sulphur spas, body mud scrubs, facial and mud masks, mud therapy packages, and its famous private mud baths.