Coromandel sizzles this summer as tourism hotspot

A bumper Christmas and New Year's visitor season on the Coromandel looks set to continue for the rest of the summer with an increase in visitors from overseas.

"There is so much to see and do in the Coromandel, and I love to share our beautiful piece of paradise with visitors," says our Mayor, Sandra Goudie.

"I love it that so many New Zealanders, and so many people from overseas, come here to find the quintessential Kiwi summer. I love to see families relaxing on the beach, building sandcastles, having a barbeque, kids licking dripping ice creams, splashing in the waves, fishing - it's what summer is all about," Mayor Sandra says.

"But while you're out and about, look after yourselves and look after our special place. Slow down, enjoy the scenery, and don't litter!"

Our regional tourism organisation, Destination Coromandel, says accommodation over the last couple of weeks was at a premium.

"We're hearing from accommodation providers that it has been at least as busy as last year or busier," says Hadley Dryden, General Manager of Destination Coromandel.

The busy times are expected to continue, Mr Dryden says. "There has been growth in arrivals from all major markets this year," he says. "The Coromandel should see Australians, Brits, Europeans (particularly Germans) and North Americans return in solid numbers for the season ahead."

But don't let that put you off a visit to the Coromandel. "There will be more accommodation available from 6 January onwards," Mr Dryden says.

November signalled the start of the busy season with tourism operators getting progressively busier since then.

Commercial marine operators have enjoyed a good start to the season with good sea conditions.

Numbers continue to grow on the Hauraki Rail Trail. Destination Coromandel is expecting to see more Australians on the trail later in the season, with 50% of bike bookings from that country. The rail trail, which runs from Te Aroha to Thames with a spur from Paeroa to Waihi, is currently being extended from Kopu to Kaiaua. This section should be completed around March. See www.tcdc.govt.nz/hrt for more on the Hauraki Rail Trail.

For a primer on what's going on in the Coromandel, check out our Summertimes magazine, produced by the TCDC Communications Team. It is available at our Council offices, our District Libraries in Thames, Tairua and Whitianga and at visitor information centres around the District. It's also available online on our website at www.tcdc.govt.nz/summerinfo

It includes a handy events guide which begins on page 92. There are listings for festivals, fairs, markets, concerts and more.

You can also tour the Coromandel on your stomach. That's right, follow the Coromandel Food Trail Guide for lots of suggestions on great places to eat and drink around the whole District. It's available to download at www.tcdc.govt.nz/summerinfo

Last summer New Zealand tourists spent more in the Coromandel than any other part of the country.

Consumer spending analysts Marketview crunched the numbers for holiday spending outside New Zealand's main centres in the three weeks following Christmas 2015. The Coromandel accounted for almost 6 percent of tourism spending despite having just 1 percent of the country's retail businesses.

Queenstown was next, with nearly 5 percent of domestic tourism spending while Taupo had 4.42 percent.

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