Accommodation providers across Hawke's Bay were heavily booked out over Labour weekend, some even having to turn people away or direct the overflow to Waipukurau.
On top of the New Zealand Royal A&P Show held last week, the weekend featured a host of sporting events that attracted people to the region.
The Indo-Pacific Trampoline and Tumbling Championship was held in Napier, along with the New Zealand football Lotto Under-19 Youth Tournament at Park Island.
The Tremains Real Estate North Island karting sprint champs also took place as well as a Hawke's Bay cricket camp for Years 7 to 10 boys, all of which boosted visitor numbers.
Accommodation New Zealand Hawke's Bay sector group chairwoman Jan Nicol, who owns Elmore Lodge in Hastings, said it had probably been one of the busiest Labour weekends she had seen in 18 years of owning the business.
"Things have been happening all around the place - the trampolining, the soccer, as well as folk here getting away for the weekend - it's been really good.
"We were filled up and at about midday on Sunday units were full in motels here so we sent people on to Waipukurau as well - long may it continue."
She said what was good for the accommodation sector flowed on to other business such as cafes and petrol stations.
Napier Motel Association representative from Deco City, Napier, Clinton Green said all providers would have to be happy.
"There was lots of good stuff happening in the Bay - the only disappointment was the weather."
He said, however, that it was very standard to be busy over Labour weekend.
"If we're not full then we may as well shut up shop."
At Camberley Court Motel in Hastings owner Paul Cooper said they had been "chockablock", even turning people away throughout the week.
"We have been running on high occupancy for a long time - we look after contractors and trucking companies as well as one or two long-term stayers.
"We had a mix of people who had travelled here for Labour weekend, as well as the Hawke's Bay show, soccer and go-karting events."
Claremonte Motor Lodge owner Julie Smith said they had been "absolutely run off our feet" over the weekend.
"We have been very busy.
"We had five nights full with people from the karting championships and also the cricket camp and family reunions.
"It's good to see it happening again, and we want it to carry on like this - we don't want it to go back like it was years ago."
It was the same story at Kennedy Park Holiday Park in Napier, which receptionist Kat Stanford said had been fully booked out apart from just a few sites.
Hawke's Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas said it had been a fantastic Labour weekend.
"Soccer tournaments, trampolining championships, and a huge number of classic cars on show, not to mention a great A&P Show.
"This is the start of a busy summer season to come."