The average nightly rate for houses that specified coverage and broadband as amenities was 2.5 per cent higher than properties that didn't, he said.
Rich Carey, marketing manager for holiday home rental company Bachcare, which offers properties from Northland to Queenstown, said demand for homes with WiFi had surged.
"As technology plays a greater role in daily lives, guest needs have changed accordingly, particularly with international guests, who wish to remain connected to friends and family back home," he said.
A customer survey found half indicated the availability of WiFi in a holiday home played some part in their decision to rent a particular property. That is also borne out by network statistics.
Last Christmas/New Year period, Coromandel, Mangawhai, Waihi Beach, Tutukaka and Athenree reported the biggest increases in data usage in the country compared to earlier in December, said Vodafone spokesman Brad Pogson.
"In Omaha, 3G usage grew from 527GB throughout November to an average of 1407GB in December and January - an increase of nearly 170 per cent. Whangamata is even more staggering, with 3G usage increasing 250 per cent for the same period as customers chewed through three terabytes of data in January alone.
"Arrowtown experienced similar highs this winter when 3G data increased by 65 per cent during July."
Pogson said research had shown three-quarters of New Zealanders would not leave home without their phone. Vodafone 4G mobile data traffic is expected to grow 1200 per cent in the next three years.
"Our view is that the explosion of smartphones and tablets has changed the way we spend our holiday time - and what we pack. Along with the skim boards and cricket set, we're taking our office, TV and music library with us - all on our tablet or smartphone.
"For bach owners who rent their properties during peak periods, this means broadband connectivity needs to be considered as part of the property offering - along with the kayaks, bunk beds and board games."
Sea, sand and surfing
The pristine Coromandel. Photo / Anne Gibson
Connecting her Coromandel holiday villas to broadband has increased bookings more than 200 per cent for Jacquie Young.
The houses at Rings Beach, near Matarangi, are in a remote area, with a kilometre-long driveway. At first, getting broadband was out of the question.
"We knew it was a problem but did not realise how much," Young said.
As soon as it became possible, Young's Mercury Villas were connected. And since broadband became available, bookings have been coming in at a rate of three or four a month, instead of one every three or four months.
"The only thing that's changed is that I've changed the marketing to 'free WiFi'," Young said. "Most queries are from international visitors and they expect WiFi. They don't want to stay anywhere, even for a day, without it."
A prospective customer called from Australia to check the WiFi was decent. "They couldn't go away without it. Kiwis don't care that much because they have it on their phones but international visitors do care."
She had been surprised by the momentum the change had created.
"I didn't expect it to become so popular so quickly.
"It's a change in the way people are travelling. Everyone is taking their work with them, especially the people who can afford to stay here.
"These people have serious jobs they can't ignore."
