Visa Wellington On a Plate 2010 features over 80 events spread throughout Wellington city and up to Kapiti and the Wairarapa wine region. An incredible 88 cafes and restaurants are involved in the festival centrepiece, DINE Wellington, which last year saw participants report increases of up to 60% in lunchtime covers during the August period.
Festival co-director Sarah Meikle says Visa’s support cements organisers’ vision to develop Visa Wellington On a Plate into a major event. This year also sees the return of Wellington City Council, Air New Zealand, Menu Mania, The Radio Network, Holiday Inn and Kirkcaldie & Stains as sponsors, and the addition of Bolton Hotel, Tranz Metro and BERL Economics.
“Securing a global payments technology company like Visa as naming rights sponsor in just our second year reflects the confidence in and enthusiasm both this festival and our region.”
“Visa Wellington On a Plate has been designed to cement Wellington’s position as New Zealand’s cuisine capital by building culinary tourism and providing a platform to showcase the Wellington region’s incredible food and beverage sector,” Ms Meikle says.
“Visa Wellington On a Plate is set to be an outstanding event, building on the success of the inaugural festival. Visa is proud to support the region’s bustling food and beverage industry and to help make the festival an enjoyable one for diners from whetting their appetite for fine food, right through to their payment experience at the end of the meal,” says Sean Preston, Country Manager, Visa.
Visa Platinum cardholders will receive additional VIP treatment at the festival with access to reserved tickets for selected premium events and special Platinum Privileges.
Background
Positively Wellington Tourism (regional tourism organisation) and Grow Wellington (regional economic development agency) established the Visa Wellington On a Plate festival in 2009 to showcase the region’s food and beverage sector, and to develop culinary tourism. The two organisations plan and market the event in liaison with the food sector and hospitality industry.
Notes for Editors
1. Visa Wellington On a Plate 2010 will run from August 14-29.
2. Punters will be anything but starved for choice during Visa Wellington On a Plate 2010, with over 80 events and some 90 cafes and restaurants on the menu. The inaugural festival in 2009 saw 42 restaurants participate in DINE Wellington and 30 events take place under the festival banner.
3. The 2009 festival was a resounding social and economic success. Many events sold out and restaurants reported between 20-60% increases in lunch covers over the festival period compared to the same month the previous year.
4. A survey of 2009 restaurant participants showed almost half were using new local suppliers as a result of the festival and the relationships it had fostered.
