Tongariro eruption a drawcard

This week's Mt Tongariro and White Island eruptions could attract even more visitors to the regions, according to tourism experts.

Destination Great Lake Taupo (DGLT) marketing manager Donna Jarden said rather than being a deterrent, for many the Mt Tongariro eruption could be a drawcard in the months to come.

"There were people that moved towards the mountain instead of away from it," she said. "It's an interesting part of our region's history ... it's part of what makes it unique and there are people that are fascinated by it."

She said the only businesses impacted so far by Monday night's eruption were those operating shuttles and guided tours on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, with the track closed until further notice.

However, Walking Places owner Terry Blumhardt was not too concerned, despite having to cancel trips this week.

"I am not doom and gloom about it," he said. "The reality with the weather at the moment is I would not have been up there with customers Tuesday or yesterday anyway."

He said there were a number of great alternative walks in the park they took clients on "due to weather" and now that would simply be "due to weather and volcanoes".

Mr Blumhardt said there could well be a positive outcome for tourist operators, as long as the media did not paint a misleading picture of what was happening.

"The roads are not all closed, we are not under ash, we are not sinking or all moving to the South Island," he said.

Ms Jarden said DGLT had sent a release to its Australian networks to make clear the event had been localised and not one piece of ash had fallen on Taupo.

She said neighbouring skifields were business as usual with visitors being assured Mt Ruapehu was a "totally different mountain".

Mr Blumhardt said if the eruption proved to be a one-off, the Tongariro Crossing could become more popular than ever.

"It [the eruption] could make for some beautiful photos and new steam vents," he said. "If you have walked the crossing before it may be a good time to come back and have a look at what's new."

Jan Hayter of Tongariro Expeditions agreed it was not unusual to have to close for a few days when the weather was bad and she remained positive about the future.

"We've got to have positive thoughts, it's going to be fine. The summer's coming and we're going to have lots of tourists that want to come and see the number one volcanic mountain. Wouldn't you want to come and see the mountain that's just erupted?"

National Park Village Business Association chairman Murray Wilson said the number of people visiting tongarirocrossing.org.nz increased from an average of about 240 to 2400 in the 24 hours following the eruption. "When we started getting the first reports of volcanic activity basically it went through the roof."

Meanwhile Jenny Tait of White Island Tours said Sunday's small eruption on the island couldn't have come at a better time, given winter was normally their quieter months.

She said there had been a sharp increase in traffic to their website since the eruption, with people keen to get up close with a truly active volcano.

"It's even more interesting than usual [now]," she said.

She said the tour company was back on the island with customers all day on Monday.

"You can smell, feel and see it - it's the whole package. It's good that the volcano is still alive."

She wasn't aware of any cancellations and didn't foresee any negative impact.

"Where else in the world can you see a live volcano?" Additional reporting APNZ.