Bay of Plenty basks in long-weekend sunshine

SUMMER LOVIN': Lily, 10, and Ethan Streets, 8, soak up the summer sun at Mount Maunganui beach. PHOTO/ANDREW WARNER

The Bay of Plenty cashed in on Auckland's 175th anniversary over the long weekend with a bumper line-up of events and non-stop blue skies bringing in hordes of visitors.

The beach was pumping and Motel Association members at the Mount were all fully booked, Bay Palm Motel owner Mike Fagan told the Bay of Plenty Times.

Mount Mainstreet manager Peter Melgren said a busy weekend was to be expected with the thundercats, jetsprints and surf lifesaving champs all in and around the Mount.

"It was quite interesting how many people came in before the weekend looking for accommodation and there was just nothing," he said.

Mount Maunganui Paper Plus manager and Mount Mainstreet chairwoman Jane Debenham said the Mount was a popular destination for anniversary weekend with or without the events but believed the events did bring a lot of people to the area.

"It definitely was very busy.

"It was a different crowd. Over New Year there are a lot of teenagers but from about the [January] 10th you see a lot more families and of course they have different spending habits."

The atmosphere along Mount Mainstreet had been great and retailers had told her they were having a great month which would help them get through the quieter winter months.

The beautiful weather also had a substantial part to play in drawing the crowds, she said.

Downtown Tauranga spokeswoman Sally Cooke hoped the sunny days and line-up of events had provided a boost for Tauranga retailers.

"It's been a beautiful weekend with a whole lot of events on, so we're hoping that when we hear from our members they've had a good spin-off to retail and hospitality."

Tourism Bay of Plenty head of marketing and communication Kristin Dunne said events were key to extending the summer for Bay of Plenty as a destination.

"Definitely those events were bringing more people through ... I think that's why we've been so successful because we've got a good line-up."

The jam-packed accommodation was looking to continue through to February weekends with the Bay being a popular wedding destination, she said.