Data Dashboard

January 2025 Insights

• January 2025 was a strong month for tourism in Waitaki, with significant growth in visitor card spend across both domestic and international markets and a strong performance in the accommodation sector. Meanwhile, employment in tourism-related industries showed slight growth, in line with the national average

• While domestic guest nights remained stable (+1% YoY), domestic visitor spend grew significantly (+8% YoY). The faster pace of card spend growth suggests either an increase in average visitor spend or a rise in day-trip visitation. The latter appears more likely, given the +9-10% YoY increase in domestic card spend by visitors from Canterbury and Otago, as well as a strong rise in domestic spending on retail fuel (+20% YoY). Meanwhile, international visitor card spend and guest nights in commercial accommodation grew at an equal pace (+18-19% YoY)

• In the international market, card spend on retail food & beverage and food & beverage serving products grew similarly (+25-28% YoY). However, the domestic market displayed a clear shift in spending habits, with retail food & beverage spend increasing (+10% YoY), while food & beverage serving spend declined (-3% YoY), indicating a growing preference for self-catering over dining out.

• Among domestic visitor markets, Auckland recorded particularly strong card spend growth (+20% YoY), significantly outperforming the national trend, where Auckland visitor spend declined (-4% YoY). This suggests Waitaki's growing appeal to this market.

• The occupancy rate in commercial accommodation increased by +5%pt, driven by a +6% YoY increase in total guest nights. This growth was fueled by a strong increase in international guest nights (+19% YoY) and further supported by a slight decrease in available stay units (-1% YoY). The average number of nights stayed per guest declined slightly (-2% YoY), possibly indicating that international visitors are staying for shorter durations than domestic guests.

• Holiday parks & campgrounds became increasingly popular among international visitors, with guest nights surging by +52% YoY, while domestic guest nights in this category declined (-11% YoY). However, the standout performer among accommodation types was small motels (up to 20 stay units), which experienced substantial growth in both markets (domestic guest nights: +17% YoY, international guest nights: +91% YoY). This led to an exceptional +24%pt increase in occupancy, reaching 86%—the highest ever recorded for this accommodation type in Waitaki.

• Overall, employment in tourism-related industries grew by +1% YoY, aligning with the national average. The strongest job growth was observed in tourism-characteristic industries such as recreation services and travel & tour services (both +13% YoY), followed by activity services (+11% YoY) and accommodation (+6% YoY). This growth was partially offset by a slight decline (-2% YoY) in food & beverage services—the largest tourism-related industry in Waitaki—consistent with the decrease in domestic card spend on food & beverage serving products.