Central Otago's cycle trails have had a surge in visitors this season.
It is still peak season, which runs from September to April, and those who manage the trail are thankful for the good weather and the ''powerful'' word-of-mouth publicity that contributed to a good year.
Otago Central Rail Trail Trust facilitator Clare Toia-Bailey said official numbers were not in yet but early indications from a midway counter on the trail at Wedderburn showed numbers were up.
Businesses indicated a busier season with more international tourists staying for a shorter period but spending more, she said.
There had been a boost in Australian visitors and numbers from Asia were increasing steadily, while the number of American, German, and Dutch visitors was also up.
The Clutha Gold Trail had also had a marked increase in users and was still very busy, Clutha Gold Trail Charitable Trust chairman Rod Peirce said.
He believed the increase was due to the ''natural growth'' of cycling and expected the numbers to continue to rise.
The trail, which follows the Clutha River from Lake Roxburgh to Beaumont and then continues to Lawrence, appealed because of its winding tracks and close proximity to the river, he said.
Barrie Wills, secretary for the Roxburgh Gorge Trail Charitable Trust, also reported high numbers on that trail, which winds from the Roxburgh hydro dam up the Roxburgh Gorge to Alexandra.
A counter installed at the Alexandra end recorded between 1100 and 1200 users a week during the Christmas and New Year period to the end of March.
Mr Wills said he met a group of 40 Australian cyclists one day while working on the track, and they all gave positive feedback.
''The whole thing is ticking over nicely.''
He received a lot of comments about the number of bikes on the rear racks of vehicles driving through the area.
''Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool. We are only in our second season in Roxburgh.''
Businesses along the the cycling and walking tracks are also reaping the benefits.
Rail Trail Operators Group chairman Shayne O'Connor said it had been a busy year, with overall numbers remaining consistent, though the ''future is bright''.
Accommodation provider Graeme Duncan, of Wedderburn Cottages, reported a 3% increase in visitors over the season, including a 6% increase from January to April.
Still almost booked out last week, Ranfurly Hotel owner Barry Adams said he had seen an increase in visitors despite not being a preferred stop on the rail track, while Roxburgh Motel owner Joyce Turner was also noticing more cyclists coming through the area.
''It has been a good season in every aspect, really.''
A user survey released in 2011 reported the rail trail generated more than $12 million annually for Central Otago, up from $7 million in a survey done two years earlier.
A Central Otago District Council economic impact report on the rail trail due out later this year will also take into account the Roxburgh and Clutha Gold tracks.
Otago Central Rail Trail
Open 20 years.
• About 100,000 riders a year, most from the North Island, including about 14,000 who complete the 152km track from Clyde to Middlemarch.
• Early indications numbers this season up on normal.
Roxburgh Gorge Trail
Opened October 2013.
• Between Alexandra and the Roxburgh Dam.
• Up to 1200 users a week at height of this season.
Clutha Gold Trail
Opened October 2013.
• Follows the Clutha River from Lake Roxburgh to Beaumont and then continues to Lawrence.
• Marked increase in users this season and still busy.
