Tourists flock to holiday parks
Holiday parks are contributing more than $1 billion annually to the economy and international campervan travellers are proving the biggest spenders.
Camping may be a traditional Kiwi activity, but research carried out for Holiday Parks New Zealand (HPNZ) found overseas visitors now make up about a third of all guests.
HPNZ chief executive Fergus Brown said the $490 million in foreign exchange earnings from international visitors was getting towards that generated by apple exports, and the ease of booking online played a major part in the rise in overseas bookings.
‘‘You can be sitting searching for accommodation in New Zealand when you are sitting in your apartment in New York and holiday parks come up as an option.
‘‘Previously we weren’t even seen as an option.’’
International visitors tended to be younger, with almost half aged under 25.
Last summer, domestic guests opted for slightly shorter holidays and there was a drop in frequent visitors who had stayed in the same place at least 11 times.
Tents and caravans remain the most popular type of accommodation among Kiwi campers.
However, Brown said there were signs that caravan use was dropping as local campervan ownership increased.
‘‘The domestic market loves the idea of having a campervan they can park at home and shoot away for a long weekend, or just for one night.’’
Almost three-quarters of overseas holiday parks guests stayed in campervans and they were the biggest spenders, dropping more than $200 a day each.
That compared with the average guest spend of $145 a night on accommodation, food, activities and goods ranging from jewellery to fishing equipment.
Brown said spending this summer was 5 per cent down on the previous year as a result of lower petrol prices and bad weather putting a damper on outdoor activities.
‘‘We believe it’s mainly because Kiwis are spending less on fuel, as the price of petrol has fallen since the previous period of research in 2014-15,’’ he said.
‘‘They also spent less on activities and attractions, probably because of our poor summer.’’
The economic benefits of holiday parks had a significant flowon effect to the community, he said.
‘‘Other indirect expenditure should also be taken into account, such as the dairy that employs an extra person over summer to cope with the business generated by holiday parks; the boating store that places additional radio advertising to attract purchases from holiday park visitors; or the local council that employs contractors to re-seal the public road leading to the holiday park.’’
Separate research carried out by Top 10 Holiday Parks has led to a rebranding of its parks into premium, superior and classic offerings.
Top 10’s group chief executive, David Ovendale, said a survey showed that guests wanted a clearer idea of what to expect so they knew whether parks had facilities such as heated swimming pools and wi-fi.
The new market segments would cater for families wanting a safe, fun holiday with plenty to do; for 20- to 25-year-olds travelling with friends; and for active retirees wanting affordable comfort, he said.