The government may have predicted a strong summer for tourism, but Lake Wānaka Tourism’s general manager says it has so far been a mixed bag for local tourism businesses.

Tourism minister Stuart Nash estimated that half a million international visitors would arrive over the summer period, with an associated boost expected for tourism spending.

LWT general manager Tim Barke said businesses have seen an increase in visitor numbers above the past two years, but they’re “not back at 2019 yet”. 

“Some businesses are saying they have been flat out with others saying it’s been busy but not crazy,” he told the Wānaka App.

There are more overseas visitors in town this week.

“A lot have been saying they are not short of visitors, but are struggling a lot with the shortage of staff. 

“It is hoped the relaxing of immigration settings will help with this although we are not seeing much evidence of it on the ground here yet.”

Tim said there were “a lot of Kiwis and Aussies” around during Christmas and New Year.

“A lot of Kiwis [are] heading back to work this week as the proportion of visitors have swung a lot more towards Australian and other nationalities in the last couple of days.”

Stuart Nash said spending by international tourists increased 30.6 percent in the year to March 2022, and with the borders fully open he was expecting another large jump by year end March 2023.

“The return of international tourists is fantastic for jobs and growing the economy,” he said. 

Stuart said he also expected an increase into the coming year of the number of people directly employed in tourism after more than 20,000 working holiday visa holders arrived in the country.

PHOTOS: Wānaka App