Choose Marlborough, the predominantly web-based enterprise promoting Marlborough events, activities and accommodation, was started up a year ago by Dietmar Schnarre and Paul Milnes.

A breakaway Marlborough tourism group is moving from an online-only promotions to opening its own information centre.

Tourism and business promotion group Choose Marlborough will open an information centre at the Vines Village on Rapaura Rd, between Blenheim and Renwick, on April 1.

The staffed information centre will provide brochures and interactive touch-screen internet services to promote Marlborough, and will host networking events for Choose Marlborough members.

Those setting up the centre are not publicly saying it is because of dissatisfaction with Destination Marlborough, which has come in for criticism.

Choose Marlborough, the predominantly web-based enterprise promoting Marlborough events, activities and accommodation, was started up a year ago by Marlborough restaurateur Dietmar Schnarre and web developer Paul Milnes.

A year on and Mr Schnarre said their idea had resounded with many Marlborough businesspeople "frustrated" with the economic situation in Marlborough.

"We are just another business, born out of frustration of trying to push Marlborough out there to the world and not getting anywhere." he said. "I think people are interested in what we are doing because we are an independent body and people feel like they can come and talk to us."

Marlborough District Mayor Alistair Sowman said the Choose Marlborough group was an interesting concept.

"Anything that promotes the region, I guess, is good," he said.

"Anything that promotes the attractions of the Marlborough region has got to be good for the province."

He had not been aware the group had been formed, but knew the people in it were all "enthusiastic promoters of the province".

The Choose Marlborough team includes Dryland Restaurant owner-operator Mr Schnarre and Dub 3 Solutions owner Mr Milnes, Great Taste New Zealand owner-operator Sue Van Velzen, Hedgerows Hydroponics owner Mary Rix-Miller and Inspire Management Consultancy owner-operator Peter Chapman.

Mr Schnarre said among them they had extensive marketing, finance and administration, and events co-ordination experience.

Funding would come from membership and selling space on the www.choosemarlborough.co.nz website.

"We are member based and have no admin or building costings, no expensive board members to pay," he said.

"We are all industry members, trying to take care of our customers and our bottom line at the end of the day."

Mr Schnarre does not think they are competing with the regional tourism organisation Destination Marlborough, which promotes the region.

"We are just another group of businesspeople trying to strengthen the mother ship," he said.

"We are all helping each other out and supporting one another as businesses should do."