Arrowtown businesses are preparing for a golfing frenzy as The Hills' inaugural PGA championship and celebrity golf tournament begins tomorrow.
The tournament is the first of its kind in the country.
Organisers are predicting a successful outcome and Arrowtown businesses are ready to capitalise on the event.
Arrowtown Business Association chairman Adin May said the tournament was bound to bring in lots of visitors this week and the town was well prepared.
"It's going to be a good promotion for Arrowtown, not just for the golfers, but for their wives and families, to see the place."
Mr May said the hospitality and retail outlets in Arrowtown had benefited from the New Zealand Golf Open held previously at The Hills from 2007 to 2010 and this tournament would be of similar value to them.
"It's a client that will be after quality.
"Cafe and restaurant owners are looking forward to it." Mr May said the tournament came at the perfect time for the region after a quiet summer, and resort owners had already noticed an influx in bookings from golfers and their families.
"There have been bookings from past volunteers at the previous tournaments, as well as players.
"Everyone is really motivated." Arrowtown Business Association secretary Sue Patterson said businesses had been revising staff numbers to cope with the extra people in town this week and had based this on the New Zealand Open figures.
Destination Queenstown chief executive Tony Everitt said during the NZ Open, it was noticeable how much busier the region was.
He predicted the popularity of the event would be a long-term exercise and would develop with age.
"It's the first year of a long and successful tournament, a multi-year project."
He added Arrowtown would not be the only beneficiary this week and the whole Queenstown region would feel an impact.
"It really will raise the profile of Queenstown as a golfing destination and build on that golfing cluster we have going here."
Two of Arrowtown's neighbouring resorts have had a considerable increase in March bookings leading into the weekend.
Arrowfield Apartments manager Teresa Julian said yesterday the accommodation complex was booked out and they had several golfers and their managers staying.
"We are much busier than we normally would be so it's definitely good for us.
"Any events in the area is good for Arrowtown business.
"It's a lot like when we had the Motatapu here. Things get booked up pretty quickly," she said.
Across the highway, Millbrook golf director Bryan Spicer said there had been more interest than usual in the use of the golf course and people had booked heavily during the tournament for a round.
"There is a lot of interest in the course at the moment," Mr Spicer said.
"A lot have booked in for a round in the mornings before heading over the road to watch play in the afternoon.
"Bookings are certainly strong, and there's more interest than usual."
