“The food outlets are busy. I’ve seen The Pier [Hotel] absolutely pumping the meals out.’’
Destination Kaikōura manager Lisa Bond and chairwoman Lynette Buurman said local businesses were enjoying a busy summer without the staff shortages of the past few years.
“Over the last few weeks Kaikōura has been really busy with many families and holidaymakers enjoying the beautiful weather,” Bond said.
South Bay marina, Kaikōura.
“I am pretty sure icecreams have been in hot demand. There have been plenty of people swimming in the ocean, biking the cycle trails and enjoying a stroll along the new link pathway along Esplanade.”
She said passenger volumes so far this summer were on a par with pre-Covid levels - the summer of 2019/20 - and around 90 per cent of pre-earthquake levels.
“It is incredibly busy. It has been great for the town. We’ve had so many visitors and the weather has been superb.
“It might ease off a little bit now that we are over those stat holidays, but our forward bookings are still pretty solid.”
The opening of Kaikōura EcoZip Adventures on December 20 has added another on-land attraction to complement the on-water activities, Buurman said.
Bond said there were plenty of attractions coming up including the annual Music on the Lawn at Fyffe House on Saturday, January 20, and the Kaikōura A&P Show on Saturday, February 24.
