The survey reveals that 57 per cent of business owners believe their own business situation will improve, up slightly from last quarter at 56 per cent. Thirty-four per cent predict the same situation for their businesses in the next six months and only nine per cent thought it would deteriorate.
Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Max Mason said confidence was still rising, but slower than earlier in the year.
"Respondents are still concerned about customer demand, the value of the NZ dollar, as well as the local costs of doing business, and finding skilled staff. Despite the continued business and consumer confidence, businesses are still waiting for the confidence to be translated into bottom line profit."
Harbourside Restaurant owner Peter Ward said business was slightly stronger than previous years. "It's been a typical winter but we are reasonably satisfied with how it is going ... it's pretty positive."
There had been a general improvement in the sector, he said.
"People are still feeling wary and you have to be price conscious which we think we are because it's a difficult industry however there seems to an uplift in people's attitudes to dining out."
Tauranga Motel Association president Gail Fagan said business confidence for moteliers was influenced by the season. "Obviously our industry booms at New Year and over Christmas and the holidays. It depends on the individual location of the motels on how they fare for the rest of the year basically and it's been very much up and down but I know other motels that are doing extremely well."
The Bay Palm Motel owner said loyal corporate business had kept them afloat over winter.
She said fluctuations in the Kiwi dollar did not affect motels like it would manufacturing but tourism would come into that.
"Everyone does not like paying a fortune for holidays."
