Visitor numbers, bed nights and visitor expenditure all increased this winter, which are promising signs for the local tourism industry. 

Domestic tourists made up for 77 percent of the total visitor spending over June and July, Lake Wānaka Tourism (LWT) general manager Tim Barke said.

International tourists accounted for the remaining 23 percent. 

Over the two-month period total visitor revenue increased just one percent compared to 2021, but that does not include revenue information for August, which was a busy month for skifields.

“Generally, good snow early or even pre-ski season often translates into a busy latter part of the season which is what we saw in August,” Tim said.

He said the numbers were “about where we can expect given the snow we had for the season and the effects of staff shortages limiting capacity for some businesses”.

New Zealand’s borders reopened to international visitors from around 60 visa-waiver countries in early May, with a staged full reopening following, but industry experts warned that tourism would not return to pre-Covid levels for some time. 

Between June and August, the total visitor numbers to Wānaka were up 17 percent compared to last winter, and bed nights increased by 15 percent.

Fifteen percent of visitors came from overseas, and they were primarily Australian skiers, Tim said.

Visitors are starting to stay longer when they visit Wānaka, and wanting to experience more while they are here, Tim said.

“An increased consciousness of carbon footprint may be influencing this,” Tim said. “This may also be an incentive for some Aussies to visit rather than travelling further afield.”

Destination Queenstown chief executive Mat Woods said visitors over the hill had also stayed longer this winter, with an average length of stay increase 15 percent.

More than half of Kiwis who visited Queenstown this winter intended to return in the next year and Tim said Wānaka was experiencing more repeat visitors too.

“The domestic market rediscovered skiing in New Zealand when they weren’t able to travel overseas, which is helping keep them coming back.”

Ignite Wānaka chair Jo Learmonth said while the “good, lengthy winter season” had helped local businesses, it did not mean all businesses were ‘in the clear’.

“There is a wide range within the Wānaka business community at the moment,” she said. 

“Where possible, those that have been able to remain sustainable throughout or recover quickly and capitalise on seasonal opportunities are making headway.  

“However, for everyone at that end of the spectrum there is a business at the other end who is struggling with staffing shortages, increasing costs, and supply chain issues.”

Tim said the late-season snow dump in Wānaka was a good sign for next winter. 

“A good snow dump at the end of the season such as the one we’ve had… can also help give a lasting good impression of the season, helping with bookings for the following year,” he said. 

“...it will be interesting to see how this plays out next year.”

PHOTO: Wānaka App