Holiday parks report excellant visitor numbers across the motu
International visitors are back: Guests from Germany, the Netherlands, France & USA join Australians, to enjoy a sunny break in one of NZ's holiday parks
Visitors are returning to all parts of the country, according to Holiday Parks New Zealand Chief Executive Fergus Brown. He says international visitors are back and families are making the most of late summer getaways.
In the year ended December 31, 2021, holiday parks hosted 7.7 million guest nights, nearly all were domestic guests but there is a large number of international visitors now returning, which bodes well for 2023.
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Prior to COVID guest nights to holiday parks were made up of 35 percent international visitors and 65 percent domestic visitors. Approximately $612 million (60 percent) of the expenditure was from domestic travellers with the balance of $405 million (40 percent) spent by international travellers.
Expenditure by international visitors contributes directly to New Zealand’s export earnings.
Mr Brown said: “It is great to see international visitors back in force, with many visitors from Germany, the Netherlands, France, and the USA joining our many Australian guests in holiday parks across the motu.
“International visitors to holiday parks have far exceeded our expectations and this bodes well for the rest of summer and into autumn.”
Wet weather did impact the sector in early summer, he said: “Although North Island holiday parks were impacted by the weather early in the season, many are now seeing visitors return.
“The early season weather washout would have been disappointing for the many families who had their holidays cut short but the good news is that holiday parks have plenty of space for them to have a late summer adventure instead.”
The impact on visitors leaving early was not only on holiday parks but was also felt by the local communities, Mr Brown says.
Importantly, holiday park guests contribute over $1 billion in direct expenditure to local communities. With just 20 percent of guests’ daily expenditure spent on holiday park accommodation, the rest is spent in the community, enjoying local attractions, activities, food and beverages, and local retail outlets, these businesses all feel the financial impact of the poor weather.
Right now, South Island parks and many in the central and western areas of the North Island are reporting excellent visitor numbers.
“It is particularly pleasing to see the West Coast enjoying a period of great weather and full holiday parks,” added Mr Brown.
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