KEY POINTS:
The number of international visitors to the Treaty Grounds at Waitangi has dropped about 15 per cent as tough economic times hit Northland.
Other tourism-related businesses in Northland are also reporting fewer overseas visitors.
And although they say more domestic tourists are visiting the area, business owners say
these travelling Kiwis are spending less.
They blame the economic crisis for the drop in business.
Some accommodation facilities that were booked out last summer have vacancies this season, and the tourists staying in the area are taking less expensive tours.
Waitangi National Trust deputy chief executive Andy Larsen told the Herald that the number of international visitors to the Treaty Grounds was down between 10 and 15 per cent on 2007-08.
But he believed other industries had been hit even harder.
Doubtless Bay Information Centre manager Fiona Foote said tourism in the district was down.
"It's definitely a change from last year," Mrs Foote said.
Last New Year, the centre had queues of people waiting to use its internet services but this summer the demand has been much quieter.
Mrs Foote said that on Tuesday she had 17 holiday homes, cottages and apartments available. All had been booked out last summer.
"We've even got vacancies in motels, which is unheard of. Usually motels are the first to fill. It's a real sign of the times."
Mrs Foote said tourists taking organised trips were also cutting costs. Some chose to drive to Kaitaia to be picked up for tours to Cape Reinga, instead of being collected in Mangonui which was more expensive.
"It's a bit of a sad story."
Mangonui publican Paddy O'Leary said he had fewer visitors throughout winter, and although he was fully booked at present, people were spending less and bar sales were down on last summer.
He was about 20 per cent down in wholesale liquor sales and even more in accommodation bookings in the lead-up to summer.
"We're obviously full now, but we'll see how long it lasts. We haven't got the bookings in advance like we normally do."
Mr O'Leary said while the numbers of international visitors, particularly British travellers, were down, more Kiwis were coming to stay.
But the Kiwis generally stayed for only one night compared with international tourists, which was more labour intensive for staff.
On the bright side, domestic visitor numbers to the Treaty Grounds had increased almost 100 per cent in the last two months, compared with the same period last summer.
Mr Larsen attributed the increase to the free admission for New Zealanders, introduced in October, and the new two-day admission.
Many camping ground operators in the region said they were full, as people chose cheaper accommodation.
"We're full until the 9th," a spokeswoman at Whatuwhiwhi Top 10 Holiday Park said.
"And that's pretty good for us."
Doubtless Bay Lodge owner Keith Kelly said he had fewer English tourists, but it wasn't all bad.
"It's down a little bit on last year but we're not too bad. Overseas tourists are down about 20 per cent, but New Zealand tourists are probably up 25 per cent ... so all round it's really not that bad."
Hihi Beach Holiday Camp owner Ian Easterbrook said his place was "chocka".
He said he was encouraged by steady advance bookings which began in October for late January, with visitors wanting to secure spots - something that was unusual.
"It's quite strong," he said.
"Normally they just front up."
Far North Mayor Wayne Brown said he hoped the situation would improve.
"Things have got potentially grim," he said.
"And we're working hard to minimise compliance costs so we can make it easier for people to set up their businesses."
He said he and his council would "bend over backwards" to help people get set up and he urged anyone who had visited and was thinking about shifting to come to Northland.
"The weather is definitely better."