New Zealand holiday parks predict busiest ever holiday season

As thousands of Kiwi families pack their camping gear in readiness for summer getaways, holiday parks are expecting their busiest-ever season.

Looking forward to the peak season, Holiday Accommodation Parks Association of New Zealand (HAPNZ) Chief Executive Fergus Brown explains “there’s never been a better time to explore New Zealand – petrol is relatively affordable and we have the bonus of an extra long weekend as a result of the ‘Mondayisation’ of Waitangi Day.”

However, with record numbers of international visitors expected to arrive this summer, Brown highlights that holidaymakers will need to book ahead to ensure they get the accommodation they want, Brown adds “there is still space available through January in many holiday parks. But it will definitely pay to check park websites and book ahead,”

The latest Holiday Parks Business Confidence Monitor confirms that holiday parks are looking forward to healthy business this summer.

The data for November/December 2015 shows confidence has risen eight points to +87, indicating that 87% of respondents are currently more optimistic than pessimistic.

This is nine points higher than the same period in 2014, suggesting that respondents expect this summer to be even more successful than 2014/15.

The Holiday Parks Business Confidence Monitor, developed and managed by Angus & Associates*, surveys HAPNZ’s 300 members.

Demand for November/December 2015 compared to the same month last year increased 3 points from the level recorded in the October/November survey. 60% of members surveyed thought demand had increased, 11% indicated it had decreased and 26% saw no change.

Demand for the coming month compared to the same month last year increased 14 points from October/November to +53. Of those surveyed, 56% expected demand for the coming month to increase, 36% expected no change and 3% expected it to decrease.

Brown concludes “all we need now is some great summer weather so campers can enjoy all the fun of a traditional Kiwi camping holiday. HAPNZ members and I want to wish everybody a happy, safe and enjoyable holiday season.”

Key facts:

• The holiday park sector provides 36% of New Zealand’s commercial accommodation capacity and 19% of commercial guest nights.
• In the year ended Feb 2015 holiday parks provided 6,733,742 guest nights.
• Guest nights to holiday parks are made up of approximately 32% international visitors and 68% domestic visitors.
• While staying at holiday parks guests contribute almost $1 billion in direct expenditure to the local communities.
• Approximately $594 million (59%) of the expenditure is contributed by domestic travellers, with the balance of $405 million (41%) by international travellers.
• Expenditure by international visitors contributes directly to New Zealand’s export earnings.

Angus & Associates is a premier supplier of marketing, research and strategic planning services. They are focused on delivering informed insights for a range of private and public sector clients, particularly within the tourism and leisure sectors.

Image: Opunake Beach Holiday Park.

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