20 April 2016

Guest nights surge in Canterbury’s Mackenzie region

Tourism in the Mackenzie district is booming, with the region recording New Zealand’s highest percentage increase in guest nights for January and February 2016.

Mackenzie District Marketing Executive, Annabelle Bray says the busy summer season saw a surge in visitor numbers, with Commercial Accommodation Monitor statistics showing an additional 35,230 guests nights for the summer period (December 2015 to February 2016) compared to the same period last year.

“Mackenzie achieved the national record with a 13.8 per cent increase in guest nights for the year ending January 2016, and 13.6 per cent for the year ending February 2016,” she says.

International visitors accounted for 72 per cent of total guest nights in the summer period. Regional Tourism Indicators show a 44 per cent leap in electronic transactions for visitors from China for year end February 2016, and increases of 25 per cent from the United States, 20 per cent from Australia and 16 per cent from the United Kingdom.

“We have had great support from the international travel trade bringing tour groups and independent travellers, who are delighted by the outstanding natural attractions and activities on offer here,” Annabelle Bray says.

“We are fortunate to have a great range of accommodation available throughout the region, from hotels to quality hosted accommodation and holiday homes, with several new accommodation complexes being developed over the next 18 months.”

The Hermitage hotel has had a record number of guests this season, while the YHA Lake Tekapo has been booked solidly from October 2015 to May 2016.

A new hotel, Tekapo Sky Resort managed by Mantra, is set to open in summer 2017-2018, and Lakestone Lodge at Lake Pukaki is opening in June this year. YHA Lake Tekapo is relocating to the centre of Lake Tekapo Village, tripling in bed numbers from 36 to 92 beds, while Aspen Court Ltd is planning to build a third motel complex in the region, with motels already located in Twizel and Aoraki Mount Cook Village.

“The region is looking forward to another busy winter season, with superb skiing, star gazing and scenery set to attract scores more international and domestic visitors,” she says.

ENDS

© Scoop Media