West Coast New Zealand | Ribbonwood Retreat

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We are beyond honoured that Ribbonwood Retreat has been selected as finalists in the Development West Coast Leading Light Business Awards on the West Coast, New Zealand. 

New Zealand Tourism

Ribbonwood Retreat has been recognised by Development West Coast as a valuable contributor to New Zealand Tourism and specifically the West Coast of New Zealand as a finalist in the Leading Light Business Excellence Awards.

The awards night offered a fabulous opportunity to celebrate valuable businesses in our region of whom help to boost our local economy. 

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our local Franz Josef Glacier partners, Okarito Kayaks and our go to for the ultimate hot pool experience - Wahio Hot Tubs. ​

Impact of Pandemic in Tourism Industry

to ​The Covid-19 pandemic has been tough for business owners in Franz Josef and Fox Glacier. A report found 518 jobs have been lost in Glacier Country while businesses still standing were only operating at 20 per cent normal capacity. Domestic tourists were the life for some villages in New Zealand but not our area. We lie a couple of hours drive from the Hokitika airport and six hours drive from the nearest city of Christchurch, too far for a weekend away.

Our Bed and Breakfast had been at high capacity before the pandemic crisis hit. It wound up being shuttered for more than two years. Reopening this summer only saw a tiny trickle of guests. But on reflection we think the entire experience, which included the draining of our savings, made us more determined to stay involved with a range of sustainability initiatives   — our core mission.

​The pandemic brought time; time for ourselves, and time to work on our business. The time to rest, reflect and reset meant there were no longer those day to day distractions or excuses and I was always making to tackle those tasks I would have otherwise put off. The opportunity to take up business mentoring support helped give us confidence to continue developing and growing our business despite losing our guests and not knowing how we were going to keep up our momentum.

We had a spectacular night out at the Leading Light Awards night. We received the promo video above from Dave VisionCo.  Dave worked hard to give us this quality production. 

We want to express our gratitude to the following entities...

• Development West Coast for all the support with business mentoring and helping us to survive. As well for hosting the awards dinner and for selecting us as finalists.  Development West Coast link
• Thanks to Dave @ VisionCo for the video.
• Kia ora Department of Conservation for sponsoring our award category.

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​Click the link below to read more about how small and medium businesses on the West Coast of New Zealand have been provided support by Development West Coast during the pandemic. 

Support for Ribbonwood Retreat