Holiday park visitors are spending more per day in Queenstown than anywhere else in New Zealand.
According to new figures released by the Holiday Accommodation Parks Association, daily expenditure per person was highest in the Queenstown and Cromwell area.
The association surveyed 133 respondents in three Top 10 Holiday Parks in Queenstown and Cromwell as part of its nationwide research.
The survey showed visitors spent on average $130 a day in Queenstown and Cromwell, compared with $98 nationally.
International visitors spent $217 per day in Queenstown, up on $161 spent elsewhere.
Domestic visitors spent $86 a day, compared with $75 spent nationally.
Queenstown Lake View Holiday Park and Arrowtown Holiday Park manager Greg Hartshorne said visitors could easily spend $200 a day in Queenstown.
"The cheapest activity would be still about $100; our rates are $18 for campervans but our rooms range from $120 to $160.
After a few drinks and a meal it adds up," he said.
However, his figures showed visitors were spending less on activities than they were last year.
"We book a lot of activities here at the holiday parks.
We take in over $1 million a year but that's down 25% this year," he said.
"People are still doing trips and activities but they are being more selective because they don't have as much disposable income.
They are doing two or three things instead of everything."
Association chief executive Fergus Brown said visitors to New Zealand's holiday parks were spending more per trip than in the 2006-07 peak season.
"Particularly international visitors who are staying longer.
"The research provides a valuable insight into the economic benefit of holiday park visitors to the community," he said.
"The findings show that accommodation is just one part of a holiday park visitor's expenditure, an average of just under $23 per person per day.
In addition to this, each visitor is likely to spend over $75 per day on activities, transport, shopping, and food and drink," he said.
It was clear many visitors to holiday parks were not on a tight budget.
"Some respondents reported that their group spent more than $500 on activities in a 24-hour period; others spent more than $200 eating out, and one respondent spent $600 on jewellery."
The study was completed by independent tourism research specialists Angus & Associates during the peak December 2009 to January 2010 period.
It shows domestic visitors comprise about two-thirds of holiday park visitor nights annually, and international visitors one-third.
