PHOTO: STUFF Waiheke Island is known for its beaches, wineries and adventure activities.
The desperate need for tourists to return to Auckland’s Waiheke Island is seeing holiday homeowners offer up their properties to visitors without collecting a cent.
On The House, the brainchild of a group of friends from Onetangi, was launched in June in attempt to reboot the local economy.
The idea is that those visiting the island will still pay for their stay. However, the homeowners will forfeit their accommodation fee, which will be converted into ‘Waiheke dollars’ for holiday-goers to redeem at participating merchants.
Those merchants include wineries, restaurants, car and bike rentals, cruises, galleries, clothing boutiques and other activities.
A portion of the fee will go towards cleaning by local companies.
“The island’s economy is so tourism-dependent,” On The House co-founder Andrew Glenn said, adding that 30 per cent of Waiheke Islanders are employed in tourism-related businesses.
READ MORE VIA STUFF
MOST POPULAR
