Public holiday keeps local businesses busy

Rotorua i-Site had queues lining out the door during the Auckland Anniversary long weekend.

Rotorua had a steady stream of visitors taking in the sights, sounds and tastes of the city this Auckland Anniversary weekend.

Rotorua i-Site travel consultant Nuwan Kulatanga said it was busier than last year's anniversary holiday.

"It was crazy busy. There were a lot of people wanting a lot of information for accommodation, we had queues out the door. There were more from the domestic market, people coming from Wellington and Auckland, and a lot of international people as well," he said.

"We had a lot of enquiries for accommodation...we we tried to find them accommodation but a lot of places were fully booked for the week. Our sales were very high when compared to last year, there 15 per cent to 20 per cent increase in bureau sales for the week compared to last year and it was a really good weekend."

Bars and restaurants were also enjoying the influx of visitors throughout the long weekend.

Pig and Whistle Historic Pub owner Gregg Brown said it had been steady.

"It's been a great weekend and I was at the lakes earlier and it was choc of block, so there is a lot of people visiting. On Friday it was normal sort of day but Saturday and Sunday there was an increase, lot of visitors."

Co-owner of Atticus Finch, Cherry Te Kiri also said they also enjoyed a good weekend and with no real quiet period.

Tour groups were kept busy with plenty of visitors enjoying the local sights with the Rotorua Duck Tours.

"The whole month of January has been quite busy for us which has been great. The weather is definitely a contributing factor," company director Trevor Weir said.

"We've had a lot of international visitors and still a lot of domestic [visitors] with the school holidays."

Mr Weir said numbers had increased compared to this time last year and they expected their busy period to last right through until at least the end of April.