Local winter tourism bucks national trend

Wairarapa tourism showed minor growth across July _ one region bucking the national tourism winter spending trend, according to the latest Tourism Evidence and Insights Update from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

While much of the country has seen a dip in spending over the heart of winter, domestic expenditure by visitors to the Wairaraparegion during July was up.

Data shows credit card spending by domestic visitors to the region of $12.5 million in July 2023, compared with $12.3 million in 2022. 

Destination Wairarapa General Manager Anna Nielson said the increased spend figures further cement the success of domestic tourism in the region post-Covid. 

“The Greytown Festival of Christmas, Matariki celebrations and an increasing  awareness of how much family appeal we have for school holidays have all contributed to a domestic visitor spend that bucks the national trend,” she said in a statement.

“Now, with the addition of these festivals and celebrations, we have been able to establish Wairarapa as an appealing winter destination.”

“Data reveals … people will come regardless of the weather, regardless of the season,” she noted.  

“Our reputation as a go-to destination for the warmer months, is further buoyed by an enticing winter programme. This will develop more with the opportunities provided by our Dark Sky Reserve status, with winter providing prime dark sky viewing conditions.”