Businesses miss out on RWC tourism

Business at some of Tauranga's most popular restaurants has plummeted since the Rugby World Cup started, with at least two owners saying patronage has halved and one has had the quietest September in a decade.

Valerie Raux, joint owner of popular Cameron Rd bistro Gold Mela, said she and her husband Giovanni Gerace's restaurant is always busy but since the RWC started their turnover has halved and they have experienced the worst September trading figures in 10 years.

"It's pretty scary as we are always up or steady, we have never been down in 10 years."

At Amphora on The Strand, owner John Harvey also said trade at his restaurant had been down at least 50 per cent since the RWC started.

"It's been an absolute nightmare for us, we're suffering. That is because there is no fan base in Tauranga, nowhere for families to come down to.

"Some of the pubs seem to be doing okay but many parents won't take their kids into pubs. Tourists who do come into town are either sitting in the pubs or choosing to stay in their backpackers to watch the games on TV."

Mr Harvey criticised Tauranga's city councillors for what he said was their "lack of leadership" in failing to champion a special RWC fan zone in the city for people to flock to.

"A lot of people in our community were hoping for a family orientated fan base in Tauranga and most restaurant owners were pinning their hopes on one.

"For heaven's sake council has had six-and-a-half years to save up for it but nothing has happened. Council has let us all down. Two bar owners have offered to spend $8000 each of their own money taking a huge risk, when it should be council leading this."

But Alan Sciascia, regional manager of Hospitality Association of New Zealand, said that what Tauranga is experiencing is typical of what is happening elsewhere, even in Rotorua and Auckland where games are held.

According to a recent Restaurant Association survey, business at most Auckland restaurants has plunged with the majority faring worse because of the tournament and even eftpos spending had slowed down.

Mr Sciascia said it is disappointing but some Tauranga restaurant owners expectations of a huge boom time were far too high as people were always likely to flock to where the RWC games were being held and he was not convinced creating a special fan zone in Tauranga would make a huge difference at this late stage in the tournament.

"Someone with a little bistro or restaurant was unlikely to pick up much trade anyway."

But Mr Sciascia said there are still three weeks to go with more RWC tourists expected to fly in for the quarter- finals, semifinals and final.

Mid-week these visitors would be looking for something to do and those heading to Rotorua or Hamilton hopefully will add Tauranga to their itinerary.with APN