Accommodation gone for Dixie Chicks

POPULAR:SEL event director Garry Craft has asked people to list properties that won't be in use during the Mission Concert weekend on their website to help the accommodation shortage.PHOTO/FILE.

Hawke's Bay accommodation providers will be chocka block once again when the Dixie Chicks hit the Mission Concert stage next month.

Sports Entertainment Limited events director Garry Craft said the popularity of the American country music trio had been greater than what they were expecting.

"We are very pleased with how everything is going and didn't realise how well the trio would be accepted to the crowds of New Zealand."

Mission Estate Winery CEO Peter Holley said for the first time a larger percentage of ticket sales had gone to people out of Hawke's Bay especially the South Island.

"We are delighted about the act and how they have been enjoyed by the community. We are going for a capacity crowd."

Due to this large influx of people commercial accommodation providers were fully booked months in advance.

One hotelier in Napier said there rooms were booked out for the Saturday night from the day the Dixie Chicks were announced.

Organisers appealed to the public back in October when tickets were released to list any properties that wouldn't be in use during the weekend on their website.

So far 123 properties were available online ranging in price and number of rooms.

"There is a very broad selection of what is available with anything from a spare room to a whole house," Mr Craft said.

A motorhome parking facility had also been added on site to help with the accommodation shortage.

Mr Craft said there were 60 spots remaining so people wanting a spot had to book prior to the concert.

Accommodation for Hospitality New Zealand general manager Rachel Shadbolt said commercial accommodation always sells out first so people should look at these other options.

"Hawke's Bay puts on some amazing events which brings a lot of people to the region so people need to look at all options like Bookabach or Airbnb."

Ms Shadbolt said the shortage of accommodation for big weekends like the Mission Concert was not necessarily a problem for Hawke's Bay.

"These big weekends only happen at certain times of the year so it doesn't mean places like Hawke's Bay need to build more accommodation as other times of the year there not full."

"You have to look at the average occupancy year round."

Hoteliers and moteliers have had a busy start to the year with the Tremains Art Deco Festival and Te Matatini both held last month drawing large crowds.

The Mission Concert kicks off on Saturday April 8 and to list a property or book one for the weekend visit missionconcert.co.nz and go to the accommodation tab.

Hawke's Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas could not be reached for comment.