The recent cancellation of a range of local events will have far-reaching impacts, the chair of Wānaka’s chamber of commerce says.

The move to the red traffic light setting on February 23 means, until the setting is changed, events with more than 100 vaccinated people cannot go ahead. 

In the weeks since, a host of events have been cancelled.

Ignite Wānaka general manager Naomi Linsday said the economic boost from events - and the negative impact of their cancellations - can affect everything from retail to construction and even community organisations (which are often supported by local events).

“Events are a well-known economic boost to the Wānaka business community, providing an injection of out of town dollars that we wouldn't normally see,” Naomi told the Wānaka App.

The cancellation of even a single event can have a huge impact: Wabirds over Wānaka, for example, brings around 55,000 people to Wānaka and organisers say it injects $40M into the Southern Lakes’ economy.

“Without big draw events… Wānaka is competing nationally with other great destinations and it is competitive out there right now for the domestic travel dollar,” Naomi said.

“It's the far reaching impact though, on other small businesses like event organisers, trades and infrastructure suppliers, accommodation operators, cafes, bars and retail that also get hit hard.”

The Wānaka A&P Show, which was cancelled earlier this week, brings around 45,000 people and almost $30M in direct economic benefits.

Independent researchers Research First found the 2021 Wānaka A&P Show brought $28.6M to Wānaka, $9.4M of it brought from visitors here as a direct result of staging the event.

Wānaka-based Research First insight specialist Liz Morley said the numbers showed the economic significance of community events.

Other events which have been cancelled this year - which include Aspiring Conversations, Challenge Wānaka and Contact Epic - all draw people who might not otherwise visit.

“Events give people a reason to visit Wānaka, other than just a long weekend or statutory holidays,” Naomi said.

Queenstown Lakes mayor Jim Boult said the event cancellations, which have also included the Gibbston Valley Summer Concert, the New Zealand Open and more in Queenstown, are “a huge blow”.

Alongside the long-running effects of border closures the cancellations had “knocked us back once again”, but Jim said he remained optimistic.

“I take heart from our outstanding local vaccination rate which I feel shows a resolute commitment among our community that we’re ready to welcome visitors and major events back just as soon as that’s possible.”

PHOTO: Wānaka App