Signs point to great year for Rotorua

FILE

Spending by international tourists in Rotorua last December was at a six-year high, government figures show.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment regional tourism indicators have the international tourism spend at least 10 per cent higher than in the previous six Decembers.

Spending by domestic tourists was also high - on par with 2010 and higher than any other December since at least 2008.

Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Darrin Walsh said the recent Christmas holiday period had been fantastic.

"The New Zealand economy is picking up so people have more disposable cash," he said. "Rotorua's a good drawcard for people wanting a trip away.

"The global economy's picking up as well and, if you're coming to New Zealand, you come to Rotorua."

An upswing in the local economy was also evident, he said.

"There was certainly an increase in business confidence in the last four months of 2014. The economy's growing and there were announcements of some fairly key developments in Rotorua."

It looked like 2015 would continue to be a good year for Rotorua, he said.

"Forestry, dairy, retail and tourism - all industries - are starting to bounce back and do well. It's all good for Rotorua."

Rotorua Downtown Backpackers manager Jess Bradley said the lodgings had noted a big increase carrying into last month.

"The occupancy rate [this January] was up about 7 per cent on January last year.

"Our core markets, like Germany, are all up. International arrivals are up 2.7 per cent. Rotorua is up a bit higher than that, which has meant a busy January for us."

Ms Bradley expected bookings to remain busy through to mid-April.

Countrywide, international tourism spending was up by 21 per cent year-on-year while domestic spending was up by 4 per cent.

Labour's tourism spokesman Peeni Henare said tourism seemed to be tracking along well - but there was room for improvement.

"I think there's scope for more to be done around eco-tourism," he said. "There are operators out there who feel they're being ignored at the moment.

"Adventure tourism also needs tightening up. The Government put in a whole lot of regulations for compliance which have caused a lot of operators to go under because they cost too much."

More could be done in the regions.

"A whole heap of regional operators are looking for a slice of the action ... they're not feeling benefits of booming tourism market at the moment.

"Eco-tourism in the likes of Northland is amazing but no one ever talks about it."

Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key was unavailable for comment.