Backpacker lodges in Queenstown are reporting strong occupancy and extended stays since last week's earthquake in Christchurch.
Nomads Queenstown Backpackers had had only one cancellation, which was on the day of the quake when a customer could not get out of Christchurch, general manager, Aimee Jeffreys said.
"It's been really busy, actually. We have mainly had back packers staying on a couple of days extra, where they have not gone on to Christchurch."
She said they had not had many people staying who had escaped from Christchurch as the lodge was quite fully booked out in advance.
A bar crawl had been organised for Monday night, with the proceeds going to the Red Cross.
Aspen Lodge Backpackers owner-operator, Mrs Sally Whitewoods said they were also "still really busy" and had about five or six people coming from Christchurch each day for several days after the quake.
"Other than that, it's the normal number of people coming through ... Some people are extending by probably an extra two or three days, I would say, leaving out Christchurch and taking flights straight up to Auckland or going up the West Coast."
Queenstown YHA hostels had also been "very close to full", YHA area manager, Marilyn Welsh said.
"Occupancy has still been very very strong for us at this point ... Nobody knows what's going to happen in the future, but I think that the important thing for visitors to know is that New Zealand tourism infrastructure is fine and up and running outside Christchurch."
