NZ Tourism poor summer weather and tourism boom
Reports from www.stuff.co.nz in New Zealand say that despite the very poor summer weather, tourism operators are reporting a busy season, with one describing it as a “bumper year” – despite the grim and grey weather.
Holiday Accommodation Parks Association CEO Fergus Brown says that many operators had enjoyed a good season so far, with some North Island operators reporting bookings up 25% per cent on 2006 adding that the weather had not put off domestic campers and the busy season for international visitors was yet to come.
He also said that a drop in fuel prices and aggressive pricing for air travel had resulted in a higher number of Australian visitors, adding, “From our point of view we’re looking forward to a good year in 2007 and we can’t see a lot of clouds on the horizon.”
Kea Director Grant Brady said bookings were at capacity and the company was having a bumper year, with almost 400 campervans had been booked out earlier than usual this year.
German tourist Timo Kuroschinsky, who arrived in New Zealand three weeks ago, said his group had been rained on almost solidly for two weeks, with the best weather during a four-day tramp in Fiordland. They were still doing most activities they had planned, but had shelved camping in favour of staying in backpacker hotels.
The rain had not put them off though and they were still enjoying New Zealand and not planning to bring forward their flight on to Chile.
New Zealand Hotel Council CEO Mark Oldershaw said figures for last month and the first week of this month showed hotel occupancy in many areas was up on last year, including in Wellington it was up 4% on last year to 60% in Auckland up 3% and Rotorua up 6%.
Christchurch was down 2% though and Queenstown about the same as last year, both at 68%.
Trevor Hall, CEO of New Zealand’s biggest tourism company, Tourism Holdings, said it was “comfortable” with trading during Christmas and New Year, with the Company owning attractions including Kelly Tarlton’s, Waitomo Caves, Fullers Bay of Islands, Milford Red Boats and bus companies Johnston’s Coachlines and Kiwi Experience.
Mr Hall said some businesses, such as Kelly Tarlton’s, did better when the weather was bad and there had been no days that had forced closures for its Bay of Islands, caving or Milford operations.
But it is not all plain sailing. Kauahi Ngapora, operations director at Whale Watch Kaikoura, said though bookings were strong the weather had caused the company to cancel six full days of tours last month, trips that would have carried 750 people.
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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