Tourism & Marketing Lecture
Objectives
Education Sales & Marketing manager, Faith Maika, presents key points of Te Puia’s unique perspective as a protector of Maori arts and crafts operating in a business world.
The 30 minutes lecture is focused on either geography or tourism and the role they play in Te Puia’s existence.
“One of the most common questions is what impact does commercialism have on culture,” says Faith.
“How do we justify that? If we took funding from elsewhere we would have no control. At the end of the day, what sustains us here is tourism. We are able to save our arts and crafts, we are able to teach and we are able to share because of tourism.”
It is through explanation and discussion many myths surrounding the Maori culture are dispelled. Traditions and practices, participants discover, are often based on good old common sense.
Learning activities
Learning activities are based on participant’s requirements.
The Lecture workshop, therefore, is often used to compliment other programmes like the Tailored Guided Tour.
“First we discuss and debate and then we go and see it in practice,” says Faith.
“Often people want to know about guiding, what it means, is it difficult, is it fun? Then they get the chance to see the guides in action.”
Students are invited to send key questions in prior for the lecture to be tailored specifically to their needs.