Hawke’s Bay visitor numbers at record high for end of summer

Statistics New Zealand has released their latest Commercial Accommodation Monitor (CAM) report for March 2015 arrivals and it revealed a fantastic result for Hawke’s Bay’s tourism industry.

March 2015 in comparison to March 2014 showed a 14.6% increased in visitor nights, totalling 116 740 in actual figures (March 2014 totalled 101 830) That increase was made up of a leap in both Domestic and International visitor nights. International visitor nights rose 10.6% to 35, 119 with domestic visitor nights recording a whopping 16.5% increase, totalling 81 621.

The average length of stay also increased, sitting at 2.41 nights per visitor versus 2.24 nights in March 2014.

The Hawke’s Bay economy benefited from $554m as a direct result of visitor spend year ending March 2014.

Annie Dundas, General Manager of Hawke’s Bay Tourism said she was very pleased with the result. “We know Commercial Accommodation nights are just one part of the puzzle but it is fantastic to see such a positive result in this sector. March is a huge month for events in Hawke’s Bay with Horse of the Year and Masters Hockey Tournament attracting lots of out of towners who stay in commercial accommodation and spend money on food, wine, retail, transport and a whole host of other things while they are here”.

George Hickton, Chairman, Hawke’s Bay Tourism says the figures are an indication of the opportunity that exists for the Hawke’s Bay tourism industry. “Hawke’s Bay has had a great month due to the successful leveraging of events. With increased tourism funding we can promote more of those compelling reasons to visit on a much bigger scale which we hope would give Hawke’s Bay these kind of results every month”

ENDS

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