The school holidays have once again brought visitors to Wanaka and many local businesses are hoping for a busy summer season after a difficult trading year. 

During the July school holidays many businesses told the Wanaka App they were far busier than expected, but things haven’t been quite as positive this time round.

At Alchemy Cafe and Restaurant opposite the Wanaka lakefront, manager Toby Hansen told the Wanaka App that while there has been an uptick in customers it hasn’t compared to last school holidays, which were “really busy”.

He said the wind and rain may have “scared some people off” this time round.

But summer has the potential to bring more people through the door. 

“At the moment people can only holiday within New Zealand so I think that will bring a lot of people down to this area,” Toby said. 

Like many others, he hoped a bubble between Australia and New Zealand would be in place soon.

Cardrona Alpine Resort general manager Bridget Legnavsky said one of the things the company had learned during this period of closed borders is how much money is usually spent overseas during holidays. 

It’s been a mixed bag at Cardrona Alpine Resort, with some days very busy and others quiet. PHOTO: Cardrona

Kiwis visiting the skifield these holidays had arrived in “good numbers,” which she estimated was roughly a third each Aucklanders, locals, and other domestic travellers. 

While there had been some days with very big crowds - last Wednesday there were around 4,000 people on the mountain - she noted how variable it could be.

“We’ve had some really busy days but it’s not consistent. That’s made it hard to manage and that’s something we’re going to have to get used to.” 

Low to mid range accommodation like Manuka Crescent Motel, which has 13 rooms, had done reasonably well with the frugal Kiwi market these holidays. 

Low to mid-end accommodation providers, like Manuka Crescent Motel, have had a good number of bookings these holidays. PHOTO: Supplied

“Every day so far we have been almost full,” receptionist Eora Png said. “The school holidays have helped a lot and we’re looking forward to Christmas.” 

Wanaka Lakeview Holiday Park manager Natalie Ward said the park had fared pretty well, with a significant increase in Kiwis travelling by camper staying at the park. 

Higher end accommodation providers, like their counterparts in tourist ventures, have had more mixed results.

Wanaka Lakeside Apartments manager Gary Christie said capacity was sitting at 40-45 per cent for October so far, when it’s normally at 80-85 per cent. 

After “quite a good” ski season things had slowed down but he was optimistic about the summer.

“I think the next two months won’t be that wonderful but I’m confident that from January onwards we’ll start to pick up,” he said. The apartments were fully booked for Christmas and New Year. 

Gary is also hoping the trans-Tasman bubble will soon get the green light although, he said, he thought it would take some months before a bubble led to a significant increase in travel. 

“I don’t think we’re going to break any records for the next two years,” he said.