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Tourism Waitaki has recently released a report highlighting the region’s impressive performance in the tourism sector, and showing the national average across a range of key metrics.
The report, compares data from March 2023 to March 2024, and reveals significant growth in both international and domestic visitor numbers, as well as longer stays and increased employment in the industry.
Commercial accommodation use saw a remarkable boost, with international visitors increasing by 48% and domestic visitors by 17%. These figures far exceed the national averages, which reported increases of 21% and 5% respectively. This influx of tourists is not only higher in volume but also in duration, as the average length of stay in commercial accommodations has risen compared to the previous year.
Breaking down the numbers, the Waitaki region experienced a rise in guest nights. Domestic guest nights soared from 68,200 in March 2023 to 87,800 in March 2024, while international guest nights jumped from 25,600 to 38,000 over the same period. This adds up to an impressive total increase of 23,000 guest nights.
The positive trend extends beyond just visitor numbers. Employment within the tourism sector has also seen a boost. Activity, travel, and tour services recorded a 20% increase in employment. Accommodation and food and beverage services experienced a 7% rise, and transport services saw a 6% growth.
The data overall highlights the Waitaki region as a standout destination, attracting more visitors who are choosing to stay longer and contributing to the local economy.
