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The Coromandel is geared up for a busy summer with travel trending towards deeper connections according to new research.
Global online travel company, Booking.com, has revealed that 5 destinations in Hauraki Coromandel are within the top 10 trending places in the country. Hot Water Beach, Pāuanui and Tairua are the top three, with Coromandel Town and Hahei coming in at seventh and eighth respectively.
Destination Hauraki Coromandel marketing manager Megan Nunn is thrilled with the results of Booking.com’s annual Travel Predictions research.
Megan believes that “with five of the 10 destinations being featured in Hauraki Coromandel, plus the desire towards experiencing the world in new ways, this is an opportune time for our local travel industry to showcase what the region has to offer.”
Booking.com’s travel predictions such as Noctourism and Passport to Immortality align with DHC’s work which includes stargazing and wellness, both prominent features of the recent Coromandel Cure campaign.
Aaron McFarlane from Coromandel Shelly Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park agrees with the research commenting that “summer enquiries and bookings indicate a strong season with people keen to experience all that is good for your soul“.
Of Booking.com’s nine predictions for travel in 2025 ‘Noctourism’ came out on top.
Travellers will be seeking dark sky destinations, with 75 per cent of respondents seeking a starbathing experience. When low tide and the stars align, Hot Water Beach is the place to be. Like many kiwis, the Kūaotunu Dark Sky Community are well aware of the benefits that protecting our nocturnal space can deliver. Over half of the respondents will seek accommodation with less light pollution, an ideal result for the recently opened glass ceiling ‘Pure Pod’ in the majestic Karangahake Gorge.
Expanding themes of wellness travel, identified as a Passport to Immortality, the Booking.com research validates DHC’s own Coromandel Cure campaign. It was scientifically proven that just 48 hours in Hauraki Coromandel is good for your soul. Booking.com research suggests 56 per cent of travellers are looking for new wellness activities to help reconnect with a more balanced version of themselves.
“Kiwis will be travelling with intention in 2025 and the underlying theme we’ll see for travel plans is that it’s not about ticking off the bucket list but instead breaking away from travel norms and cultivating experiences that count,” says Booking.com area manager Melissa Ellison.
