The busy holiday period Queenstown accommodation providers had been relying on has not eventuated, with December proving to be "softer" than previous years and January not looking any busier.
Zealand Hotel Council Queenstown chairwoman Penny Clark told the Otago Daily Times yesterday December was "a bit soft initially" and she could not see January improving for the resort.
"I can't envisage we will do any better than last year because of the state of the nation."
Leading into December the region had one of its quietest spring seasons in recent years, which was attributed to the Canterbury earthquakes and the Rugby World Cup.
Accommodation managers had hoped the holiday season would make up for the poor spring season, but Ms Clark said it was unlikely visitor numbers would pick up.
"It has gone around the world that we have had another earthquake. It [total visitor numbers] definitely won't be better than last year's."
January bookings were "not looking astounding", with interest from international visitors subdued, but accommodation providers would be looking closely at the domestic market.
"It could go either way. We may get South island visitors in need of a holiday or they may choose to stay at home and clean up."
Although bookings were strong for the first week of January, it appeared the rest of the month would be quieter than usual, she said.
Meanwhile, the Lakes district's holiday parks' numbers for January were looking similar to previous years.
Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park Creeksyde general manager Erna Spijkerbosch said, despite slow bookings from late November, the park had a "steady December" and was "about on par" with usual holiday season numbers.
"It has been a little slower than usual on accommodation bookings leading up to New Year's, but New Year's Eve is fully booked out."
Queenstown and Arrowtown Lakesview Holiday Park front office manager Junalyn Rachac said she expected the Queenstown park to be "fairly packed" from December 28 until New Year's Eve.
Lakeview's Arrowtown camping ground had also been filling up, but would not reach the same numbers as Queenstown, she said.
Kingston Holiday Park manager John Paul said the New Year's period into early January was looking busy, but he attributed that to two weddings in the area as well as the "usual" visitors.
More local people than international visitors had booked and he expected things would slow down by January 10.
Glendhu Bay Lakeside Holiday Park manager Julie Gray said about 250 families had checked in to the camping ground yesterday, which was fairly typical for Boxing Day.
Bookings were down about 25% this year, which could largely be attributed to the Canterbury earthquakes, Mrs Gray said.
Last Friday's earthquakes had resulted in some cancellations from Christchurch families, while many other Christchurch-based Glendhu Bay regulars were renting out their caravans to Christchurch people who had lost their homes, so could not come this year.
Wanaka Top 10 Holiday Park is booked out from Boxing Day until about January 8, with an influx of young people expected to arrive between January 27 and 29.
Bookings at Wanaka Lakeview Holiday Park were up by about 8% from last year, manager Kelly Campbell said.
Lake Hawea Holiday Park manager Mike King said Boxing Day was always the busiest day for bookings and yesterday was no exception.
Overall, bookings were on par with last summer, he said.
