Motels hit as RWC dents domestic travel
The number of tickets sold and the amount of revenue raised by the Rugby World Cup 2011 is meeting targets, but some businesses believe they have missed out on the expected bonanza.
Heading into the weekend’s semi-final matches in Auckland, the New Zealand Motel Association says the tournament has stifled domestic tourism.
Chief executive Michael Baines says almost half of the association’s members are experiencing lower than expected bookings.
“It’s domestics that haven’t travelled, corporate travellers in particular. People have just assumed New Zealand was going to be full and expensive and nothing could be further from the truth really.”
Baines says domestic tourism is the lifeblood of the motel sector.
“What we’ve seen is game day, game venue, very busy. Prior to the games, after the games, quite empty, and anywhere else that wasn’t associated with a game has really had some tough times.”
Ian Jarrett
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