About Destination Marlborough

Destination Marlborough is a not-for-profit Trust responsible for marketing Marlborough as a visitor destination.

Our job is to tell the world why Marlborough is a stunning destination to visit for a holiday, for business, or to catch up with friends and family.

Along with marketing the region we also provide comprehensive travel information and booking services through the Blenheim, Picton and Havelock isite Visitor Information Centre's.

Marlborough

Marlborough is a unique destination - not for any one reason, but for many.

Marlborough offers an array of outdoor pursuits in such a distinctive and picturesque landscape. With one-fifth of New Zealand's coastline in the Marlborough Sounds, the land and sea off unlimited accessibility for sports and leisure in a setting that is as geographically diverse as it is beautiful.

Marlborough has the environment that can produce its particular style of Sauvignon Blanc, celebrated the world over. The soils, the climate and our winemakers' vision are what make our award-winning wines impossible to imitate.

We constantly hear visitors saying the weather is amazing, that they had an incredible time in the Sounds and an outstanding day visiting the wineries.

Marlborough is the ideal place to be, no matter what the weather or season.

Our marketing campaigns speak to visitors in a lively, warm and authentic way.

Who are we targeting?

We welcome visitors from all corners of the globe, but when it comes to taking the time to train travel agents we focus our energy on Australia, the US, UK, Germany, France, Rest of Europe, South East Asia, and China.

We also welcome all Kiwis travelling within New Zealand. However we do focus our attention on attracting visitors from the places where we have strong transport links, such as Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury, and of course our neighbours over the hill in Nelson/Tasman.

The Board

Destination Marlborough is a not-for-profit Trust governed by a skills-based Board of six representatives.

Two are appointed by the Marlborough District Council who formed the Trust in 1997 and contribute annual funding toward the operation of the Trust. The other four others are selected by an Appointments Committee which is made up of one Council Appointed Trustee and two further persons appointed by the Trustees. The aim is to appoint trustees with the best match of specific skills to complement existing board members. Each Trustee is appointed for a term of three years. The term may be renewed by the Trust up to a maximum of three continuous terms.

The Trustees operate under a Charter which outlines the duties and responsibilities of the Board. In particular the Board will:

  • Establish key strategies for achieving the objectives.
  • Monitor management implementation of the strategies.
  • Review and approve business plans and budgets and monitor performance against budget.
  • Ensure adequate risk management strategies are in place; and
  • Monitor the timeliness of the Trust’s communications with its stakeholders.

The role is largely voluntary with trustees receiving $4,000 per annum to cover expenses. For more information on the board, please contact the general manager on 03 579 2375.

Our Partners

Marlborough Destination Management Plan 2022 – 2032


The Marlborough Destination Management Plan seeks to layout a clear and collaborative future path forward for the local community and visitor industry.

Changes in our world - politically, socially, environmentally, and digitally over the recent past have called into question the historical approach to destination management globally. Our recovery from global events and the future management and preservation of the visitor experience have required this plan to take a regenerative approach and consider tourism industry resource use more in the light of a primary industry, with the land and environment at its heart and a long-term intergenerational perspective, aligning with wider traditional rural and iwi community caring values.

This pathway is just the start of the journey and the plans and strategies outlined with this project are way finders to a better future. The future starts here maximising our existing assets and developing the way forward that aligns with visitor and locals’ expectations. By targeting exciting new visitor experiences, aligning environmental and community projects we will create a clear, tangible, and regenerative direction for the Marlborough people, environment and visitor industry.

Come with us and be part of this journey.

Download the Summary document here.

Enquire if you would like the full Destination Management Plan here.

Marlborough's visitor economy

Visitors to Marlborough spent $182 million to the year end March 2023, up 9.7% on the previous year.

That equates to over $0.5 million per day of new money into the Marlborough economy from both domestic and international visitors.

How is the spend by visitors measured?

The visitor contribution to the Marlborough economy is measured by electronic card transactions such as credit cards and EFTPOS. This data can only be measured by transactions made at local Marlborough businesses, such cafe, cellar doors, hotels etc. The data cannot be captured from online bookings, booking made from outside the country, ATM or cash transactions. 

Each month the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Education (MBIE) produce the visitor data called Tourism Electronic Card Transactions or TECT. This data is available public here.

Department of Conservation

A message from the Department of Conservation! Find out more about what they have to say here.

Local businesses that are committed to sustainable tourism.

Here in Marlborough, we have a bunch of brilliant operators that are committed to helping the environment and ensuring that their business continues to stay sustainable. 

Check out our Marlborough operators that are a part of the New Zealand Tourism Sustainability Commitment here.

Responsible Camping

We must take care of our place here in Marlborough and encourage you to read up on responsible camping here. Following the Tiaki Promise, you can enjoy what the land has to offer, caring for it and leaving it to be enjoyed by future generations.

Wondering where to camp?
View our 'Where to camp' page containing further information.

Useful Resources.
There are a range of useful resources available to help you plan your journey as you travel around New Zealand here

Tiaki - Care for New Zealand

New Zealand is precious, and everyone who lives and travels here has a responsibility to look after it. The Tiaki Promise is a commitment to care for New Zealand, for now and for future generations.

Destination Marlborough is committed to the Tiaki Promise, to act as a guardian, protecting and preserving our home.

Use #tiakipromise to show your support, and head to tiakinewzealand.com to make your commitment. 

The Legal Bits

Here's some information on the legal bits & pieces that support MarlboroughNZ.com and Destination Marlborough's activities.

Legal & Privacy Policy

Contact Us

Destination Marlborough
8 Sinclair Street, Blenheim 7201
Ph +64 3 577 5523 | Email: info@MarlboroughNZ.com

Waitohi Picton isite | Picton Foreshore
Phone: 0800 777 181 (within NZ) or +64 3 520 3113
Email: Picton@MarlboroughNZ.com

Te Waiharakeke Blenheim isite | 8 Sinclair Street, Blenheim
Phone: 0800 777 181 (within NZ) or +64 3 577 8080
Email: Blenheim@marlboroughnz.com

Motuweka Havelock isite | 61 Main Road Havelock
Ph +64 3 574 2161
Email: Havelock@marlboroughnz.com