The big winged Modifieds are a regular on the Easter weekend racing programme at TWS Paradise Valley Speedway. Photo / Sportsweb Photography
The big winged Modifieds are a regular on the Easter weekend racing programme at TWS Paradise Valley Speedway. Photo / Sportsweb Photography
Rotorua's hospitality, tourism and retail businesses are gearing up for one of the busiest social and trading weekends on their yearly calendar.
Easter weekend events are expected to attract thousands of visitors to the city from across the greater Bay of Plenty and other parts of the North Island.
Thisincludes more than 500 motor homes and 1100 members of the NZ Motor Caravan Association descending on the city for the 65th National Rally and AGM from April 1 to 5.
The rally is based at the Rotorua Racecourse and attendees have a plethora of events planned and will also take part in a range of local tourism events.
It is the first time the annual national rally and AGM has been held in the region.
Rotorua Area 32 Association secretary John Somerville said the association was trying to emphasise what Rotorua had to offer and a large range other activities were planned.
"We've got 166 people taking a trip out on the Rotorua Duck Tour," he said.
NZ Motor Caravan Association Rotorua Area 32 members and thousands of others from the country will be holding their national rally in Rotorua this weekend. Photo / File
"On Saturday and Sunday we will have around 200 people out on bikes around the town and also on Sunday there is a craft display and an open day from 10am to 3pm.
Petrolheads will also be in their element at Rotorua's TWS Paradise Valley Speedway during the two-day Hickey Contractors Easter Extravaganza on April 2 and 3 from 5pm each day.
Speedway spokesman Paul Hickey said close to 150 competitors from across the North Island would participate in highly anticipated last big finale meetings of the season.
This included competitors from Auckland, Waikato, Tauranga, Gisborne, Wanganui, Palmerston North and Wellington competing in every class.
The classes include running superstock cars, stock cars, modifieds, street stocks, production saloons, saloons and mini stock cars.
"It's a speedway meeting not to be missed," Hickey said.
"It's our final big hit for the season and there will be representatives from all the big speedway tracks across the North Island. It's going to be a great weekend and we hope about 3000 to 4000 competitors and spectators attend," he said.
"This is very much a family-orientated event and it's always a great night out for the whole family and the Sunday night race programme wraps up with our crowd-favourite Demolition Derby events."
The big winged Modifieds are a regular on the Easter weekend racing programme at TWS Paradise Valley Speedway. Photo / Sportsweb Photography
Hospitality NZ accommodation sector Rotorua vice-chairman and Aura Accommodation owner Nick Fitzgerald said there were few accommodation options open this weekend.
"I imagine most people will fill up in terms of bookings or are nearly full by now given all the events happening across the city. This is an important weekend for the whole city."
Fitzgerald said he expected the city accommodation options to be at full capacity over the weekend and also the weather is set to improve markedly in the coming days.
The Merida Highlander Geyser to Lake mountain bike event is back on Saturday after a seven-year break with a field of more than 650 riders - the majority from outside the city.
The event is a point-to-point journey that starts at Te Puia and makes its way past geysers and mud pools before entering the world-famous Whakarewarewa trail network.
It then winds through the best bike trails Rotorua has to offer before descending to Lake Tikitapu and a lakeside finish, event director Tim Farmer of Nduro Events said.
Farmer said nearly three-quarters of the field are first-timers.
The Demolition Derby events are always a crowd-pleaser at the TWS Paradise Valley Speedway over Easter weekend. Photo/ Sportsweb Photography
"We're thrilled with the turnout and that participants are getting out into the forest and giving it a go and we have designed courses that we hope will turn them into regulars."
Hospitality NZ Bay of Plenty branch president Reg Hennessy, who owns Hennessy's Irish Bar in Rotorua, said he and other hospitality businesses had their "fingers crossed" as it was difficult to tell how busy they would be.
"Easter historically is one of our busiest weekends but given the downturn from the Covid-19 virus and not having all the Australian tourists we used to, it could be quieter.
"We definitely need a great weekend to help get us through the quieter winter period and we all hope these events bring lots of people to the city who also spend lots of money."
Hospitality NZ Bay of Plenty branch president and Hennessy's Irish Bar owner Reg Hennessy, Photo / File
Rotorua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Bryce Heard said over the last year since the first Covid-19 lockdown most of the events were well-supported by out-of-towners.
Hospitality NZ Bay of Plenty manager Alan Sciascia said Easter weekend was a "very important period" for the Bay of Plenty region and the hospitality sector in general.
The region benefits from the large number of Kiwis who traditionally travel to the region to enjoy the many facilities, attractions and events which take place over that weekend.
"This brings extra revenue to the region, helps businesses survive and also helps to keep people employed, particularly in the hospitality sector which has had a difficult year dealing with periodic adjustments to Covid alert levels."
Snapshot of other Rotorua's Easter weekend events:
April 3: Matt Barnard performing at Waimangu Volcanic Valley from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm with special promotion deals on delicious food and drink.
April 3: Keen readers will be spoiled for choice at the Hokomanga Pukapuka book sale in a Kuirau Park, corner of Ranolf St and Lake Rd from 9 am to 1 pm.
April 4: Head to the Pullman Hotel's Barrel & Co restaurant for a 'divine leisurely Easter Sunday brunch and bubbles menu from 11 am to 2 pm. Booking essential
April 4: Rotorua's Farmers Market at Te Manawa, corner of Tutanekai and Hinemoa Sts from 9am to noon, with fresh produce and yummy Easter treats. and a special hamper draw.
* Check out the Rotorua Lakes Council's for what's on calendar this weekend.
