Kiwis plan holidays nearer home

New Zealand's 400-plus holiday parks have seen a resurgence of camping in recent years. Photo / Alan Gibson

New Zealanders are holidaying at home this summer as many continue to feel the pinch of the recession.

Campsites around the country are noticing a rise in bookings and those in the tourism industry recognise Kiwis are keen to make their money go further.

Jasons Travel Media, which runs a tourism booking site, asked 2000 New Zealanders what they planned for this holiday season.

Chief executive Matthew Mayne said 70 per cent of those surveyed planned a holiday away from home and a third of those would stay with friends and family.

Another third had booked accommodation by August.

He said the "lion's share" would holiday in New Zealand and Australia. The most popular destinations were Northland and the Coromandel.

The survey found many were breaking from their traditional Christmas plans this year.

Reasons for the change include better accommodation deals elsewhere and money being tight this year.

A Fly Buys/Colmar Brunton survey, Mood of the Traveller, was released at the Tourism Leaders Symposium in Wellington last week.

The survey of 1003 New Zealanders found finances were preventing people from taking or planning the holidays they would like to.

A third said they would stay home for Christmas and New Year and 68 per cent of those going away for the holiday would stay in a private home.

Almost 75 per cent said finances would stop them from travelling in the next six months.

Department of Conservation programme manager Peter Carter, who oversees campsites in the Coromandel, said DoC's biggest and most popular site at Waikawau had reached capacity of 1200 visitors for the past four years.

Mr Carter said this year there had been many early inquiries and he was expecting to turn people away again this summer.

"Last year our rangers noticed a lot of new campers coming in and we don't know if it's the recession - perhaps [DoC campsites are becoming more sought-after] as people look for cheaper holidays."

Senior technical recreation officer Brian Dobbie said the department was getting a lot of requests for brochures on DoC campsites.

The department manages more than 200 sites, which range from very basic with just a toilet and a water supply, to serviced with hot showers and rubbish collection.

Modest camping fees did not fully cover maintenance costs, he said.

"There is an element of service to the public, we're providing camping opportunities to people in remote and beautiful areas."

Mr Dobbie and Mr Carter said camping was weather dependent and a wet, cold lead up to the holidays could put people off outdoor holidays.

"The last two summers on the Coromandel have been really good and this year we've put a lot of effort into upgrading our sites," Mr Carter said.

The South Island's most popular DoC campsite is Totaranui, in Abel Tasman National Park.

Manager Hugh Mytton said a "phenomenal" 40 per cent increase in bookings this year meant the camp was turning people away.

Campsites were allocated through a ballot system and by mid-July there had been 700 registrations.

"Usually we can get everyone off the wait-list but unfortunately not this year. We're fully booked from Boxing Day to the end of January."

Bookabach is an online service allowing people to list and book holiday rentals. Bachcare runs a similar service.

Bookabach communication manager Sara Goessi said its service had grown steadily since launching in 2000 and it had already had 25,300 bookings made for this December.

"Definitely, more people are listing their holiday homes hoping to get some income from them."

New Zealand has more than 400 commercial holiday parks throughout the country.

Holiday Parks Association chief executive Fergus Brown said that after a good Christmas last year bookings were again looking strong.

He said people tended to holiday closer to home in tough economic times.

DoC and the association had seen a resurgence of camping in recent years.

Mr Brown said, "People want to get out with their families and experience real New Zealand".

WHAT WILL IT COST?
(approximate peak-season prices)

DoC Campsite: $5-$12 a night for adults and $1.50-$2 a child.

Bookabach: 1970s bach at Mangawhai Heads, $95 a night, sleeps six. Family cottage in Kaiteriteri, Tasman, $175 a night, sleeps eight.

Motel: Two-bedroom apartment at Paraparaumu on Kapiti Coast, $160 a night, sleeps six.

Holiday park: Two adults and two children on a powered site on the Coromandel Peninsula, $71.50 a night.