Spectators at Wings over Wairarapa in Masterton. Photo: Supplied via LDR
More than 18,000 visitors attended Wairarapa events in the past two weeks, giving the region a tourism boost after a slower winter.
The region experienced a drop in August visitors, blamed partly on Wellingtonians cutting back on spending.
Organisers estimated more than 12,000 attended the Wings over Wairarapa air show in Masterton at the weekend, with about 6000 at the Toast Martinborough wine and food festival the weekend before.
Anna Nielson, general manager of Destination Wairarapa, said she expected settled summer weather to positively impact tourism.
"As well as friends and family coming to the region in the Christmas and New Year period, summer brings peak visitation period for international visitors.
"Numbers coming to New Zealand continue to grow, as do Wairarapa's share of these visitors," she said.
After years of disruptions to the tourism sector, new patterns were emerging, she said.
"The summer ahead may indeed give a better indication of what the 'new normal' looks like."
A report presented to Masterton District Council's audit and risk committee by Nielson earlier this month had visitor numbers down on last winter.
Total guest nights in August were 14,200, down from 16,900 for the same month last year, according to the quarterly report.
Average nights stayed remained steady at 1.9.
"August is 2700 down on the year previous, and it appears the 'bounce' upwards that typically comes in September for the Wairarapa is not going to come until later," the report said.
Speaking to the report, Nielson said several factors were impacting the sector.
"Wellington is our greatest domestic market. You may have read through newspaper articles recently, various longstanding hospitality businesses who are going under in Wellington."
More than 6000 attended Toast Martinborough earlier this month. Photo: Supplied via LDR
Nielson said Wellingtonians had cut back on spending, including in Wairarapa.
"With elections, uncertainty over what direction the government is going to take ... job security with government departments, and of course the cost of living, that is having an impact on tourism.
"We may have a good summer if the sun shines. The weather has had an impact," she added.
Nielson cautioned that the tourism environment had shifted since Covid.
"It's going to be a tough time, and I think that's right across the economy for everybody."
While domestic spend had slightly increased, international spending had increased markedly.
Electronic card transactions showed an increase in Wairarapa by 1.3 percent in July 2023, from $12.3 million in July 2022 to $12.5m.
International card spending increased by 52.6 percent in July 2023, from $470,000 in July 2019 to $717,000.
Vintage aircraft at Wings over Wairarapa in Masterton this weekend. Photo: Supplied via LDR
Wairarapa had the sixth highest growth in regional tourism across New Zealand.
"Pre-Covid, international tourists did not really visit Wairarapa during the winter months.
"It is hoped the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve in time will change that trend," the report said.
Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
