Wairarapa tourism "really good news"

Carterton and South Wairarapa guest nights were up 8.6 per cent to 3965 this July on last, according to Statistics New Zealand. FILE PHOTO

Wairarapa guest nights were up this July and a local tourism boss is particularly pleased about the length of time visitors are staying.

Carterton and South Wairarapa guest nights were up 8.6 per cent to 3965 this July on last, according to Statistics New Zealand.

Masterton guest nights were up 0.4 per cent to 8895.

A guest night refers to one guest spending one night in a hotel, motel, backpacker establishment or holiday park.

Destination Wairarapa general manager David Hancock said things were going "fantastically well" in the local tourism sector.

"This week alone we've had Australian travel agents roaming all over the area," he said. Hundreds of Australian travel agents are currently in New Zealand familiarising themselves with the country's tourism industry.

Mr Hancock said Chinese inbound operators and professional conference organisers had also come through the region.

"Everyone realises how important the Wairarapa is as a destination and they're all wanting to come and see it."

The length of time visitors were staying was particularly pleasing.

"We had over two nights average stay in July. That's really good news," he said.

"You only stay in a place longer if there's enough to do and there's plenty to do in the Wairarapa with the coast and the mountains and the town and villages and the wine and food."

National guest nights for July 2015 were 4 per cent higher than in July 2014, according to Statistics New Zealand.

Business indicators senior manager Neil Kelly said two-thirds of the rise for July was from North Island domestic guest nights.

"International guest nights and South Island guest nights also increased, but to a lesser extent."

For July 2015 compared with July 2014, North Island guest nights were up 5.7 per cent, and South Island guest nights were up 1.4 per cent.