Auckland restaurants are looking to be extra busy tomorrow night with Valentine’s Day and SailGP coinciding. Photo / Dean Purcell
Auckland restaurants are looking to be extra busy tomorrow night with Valentine’s Day and SailGP coinciding. Photo / Dean Purcell
Restaurants in and around Auckland are looking to be extra busy tomorrow night with Valentine’s Day and the SailGP regatta coinciding.
Hospitality New Zealand chief executive Kristy Phillips said the two events were expected to lift the numbers going to restaurants, bars and accommodation providers.
“We’re hearing from membersthat room bookings are strong. This translates into more people out and about in the region, delivering increased foot traffic that will have a positive effect on restaurants, bars and retailers.”
She said restaurants had planned accordingly.
The hustle and bustle created by big occasions helped to boost the sector, “whether that’s from visitors or locals who want to enjoy a special meal, a night away, or everything else the city has to offer”.
“Major events like SailGP create energy and vibrancy in the city, and when you combine that with occasions like Valentine’s Day, it really helps drive visitation and spending across the wider hospitality sector.”
Some Auckland restaurants are already fully booked for Valentine's Day. Photo / 123RF
The Restaurant Association of New Zealand said that, according to a survey on how hospitality businesses were approaching Valentine’s Day, bookings were set to be “strong this year”.
General manager Nicola Waldren said the majority of operators were seeing Valentine’s Day demand meet or exceed a typical year.
“Several were fully booked before they even needed to promote.”
She said the survey found set menus were the most popular, because they allowed restaurants to streamline service on a busy night.
“With Valentine’s Day falling on a Saturday this year, some operators have noted there hasn’t been a significant uplift, simply because Saturday is already one of the strongest trading nights of the week.”
Other key trends from the survey showed that atmosphere played a major role, with many operators leaning into the romance by decorating with candles, heart‑themed decor, balloons, offering complimentary sparkling wine, and adding live music or DJs to set the mood.
Several respondents developed “Valentine’s-specific” products such as platters for two, lovers’ feast menus, and pop-up events.
