Visitors lured by events for all ages

MAKING A SPLASH: It will be a big weekend in Rotorua with plenty of things to do including the Famously Rotorua Swim the Lakes Summer Series. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Rotorua is ready for another bumper long weekend with events and activities for all ages.

Destination Rotorua consumer marketing manager Brenna Townsend said it had been a busy holiday season with tourism operators upbeat after a steady flow of visitors so far this summer.

"Auckland Anniversary weekend is always a busy period for Rotorua, we've got some great events on such as the Famously Rotorua Swim the Lakes Summer Series, the Okere Falls Festival, the Rotorua A&P Lifestyle Expo, Blue Baths Comedy Cabaret and many other happenings for visitors and locals to enjoy."

She said with the Famously Rotorua advertising campaign in full swing it was nice to see momentum building and people visiting Rotorua with a revitalised perception ready to experience New Zealand's coolest hot spot.

Rotorua Association of Motels president Fiona Suurenbroek said it was "a little bit of a mixed bag for this weekend, however bookings are still coming in with a few properties full already.

"In general, there is cautious optimism out there, certainly the feeling is that we are tracking better than last year for summer to date and, on the whole, there is a positive vibe in the air which can only be good.

"There are some solid forward bookings, however we still experience a number of last-minute requests so accommodating these on busy weekends can sometimes be a challenge, but we do our best to retain the guests in Rotorua rather than see them go elsewhere."

Rainbow Springs business manager Lori Keller was ready for a big weekend.

"We've had a full roster of staff on since Christmas and they stay on until the middle of February.

"We're expecting a busy one with the A&P show on and it's the last weekend of school holidays. We've had a big upsurge in visitors from Auckland and we hope they will continue to come for the weekend."

Cactus Jack's Backpackers owner Paul O'Connor said business was good, but not as good as previous years.

"I have noticed the overseas people are still not coming as much as they used to, we're not as full as we traditionally have been.

"Raggamuffin tends to bring a lot of Kiwis into town so we are looking forward to next weekend."

Mr O'Connor said he was noticing more New Zealanders staying in backpacker accommodation.

"Maybe this is due to how many coins they have in their pockets."

The MetService says the weekend will be a mixed bag as well. Tomorrow should be fine with some cloud cover and a maximum of 22C. Sunday is not looking so good with rain forecast and a maximum of 22C, while Monday should reach 23C with showers clearing.