Showing 10 American tourists the sights, sounds, tastes and treasures the Bay of Plenty has to offer kept a group of Tauranga residents and travel enthusiasts busy for a week.

The recent hospitality, however, will be reciprocated by the Americans when the Tauranga residents travel to their part of the world in 2026.

Thirty-four Tauranga residents are members of Friendship Force International, an organisation that began in 1976 in the United States and was designed to foster acquaintances around the world.

Tauranga-Western Bay Friendship Force club president Jonathan Spink says the 10 visitors were hosted in six private homes – giving them a unique experience – and were shown the region’s best spots.

The group from Tucson, Arizona, visited Te Puna Quarry Park, a local carver, historic sites and Mount Maunganui. They also tried fish and chips, and the BOP’s award-winning pies and had the option of taking a coach to visit Hobbiton in the Waikato and Te Puia in Rotorua.

“We think about where the group is from and ask if there’s anything they’d like to see or do here and then tailor their itinerary accordingly,” says Jonathan.

“In the past, we've hosted groups from inland US and we arranged for a ranger from the regional council to come and talk about the sand dunes at the beach.”

The hospitality will be reciprocated when Jonathan and his fellow 34 Tauranga club members travel to the US. “Many of us – in our club – go on cruises or organised tours as well, but by staying with locals it offers a different dimension. You get to know people better and see things you wouldn’t normally see.”

Jonathan says membership of Tauranga-Western Bay Friendship Force has fallen to less than half since the pandemic but is now seeing fresh interest.

“We’ve been to places like Taiwan, Japan and Australia,” says Jonathan. “It suits retired people well, but we also get young families hosting.

“I can say I’ve made life-long friends from being involved in the club and it’s common for people to stay in touch with their hosts or visitors and travel back on their own.”

For more information about Tauranga-Western Bay of Plenty Friendship Force, phone Jonathan 07 572 2091 or visit: www.friendshipforce.org.nz