Kelly Makiha: Do we have enough beds left for long weekend visitors?

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OPINIION

We're on the cusp of the first long weekend for a few months and it begs the question: will we have enough beds to host visitors to our region?

For some accommodation outlets, bars, restaurants and tourism operators it'll be a time to cash in after a dire year since the outbreak of Covid-19.

But look around our motels and hotels and today's landscape is a lot different to what it used to be.

Motels are chocka with the city's homeless and in Rotorua, three of the city's hotels are off limits because they're being used as isolation hotels.

That's hundreds of bed options gone. Just like that.

If there are fewer places to stay, potential visitors will go elsewhere - and that is a concern.

A quick look on Booking.com and Airbnb for two adults and two children throws up few options, although some are costly.

On Booking.com there's a luxury resort in Rotorua that'll cost $5900 for three nights and a swanky house in Tauranga will cost $3800 for three nights.

There are still some options in Tauranga on Airbnb, but people will have to stay somewhere such as Pukehina or Te Puke if you want to enjoy what Rotorua has to offer.

Our tourism and hospitality sectors obviously rely on visitors, but if they have nowhere to sleep, they won't come and the trickle-down impact on the business sector would be devastating.

Fewer beds aside, we have to ensure those who do come to our region are given the best possible experience.

It's important visitors aren't put off by the emergency housing clients staying on the Fenton St strip who have been causing Rotorua police and Glenholme residents crime woes in recent months.

Everyone needs to be on their best behaviour to portray our areas to guests in the best possible light.

The region looks set to put on a fantastic long weekend and the weather should play ball.

In Tauranga we have Vegan Vibes, the Bay of Plenty Steamers playing Canterbury, Bic Runga hitting the stage and plenty of markets.

In Rotorua, there's the popular Blues Festival, the Whaka 100 mountain bike race, Lake Tarawera's Spring Fair and the ever-fun Tough Guy & Gal Challenge.

Domestic visitors are the new gold, let's turn it on and give them the time of their lives - that's if they've found somewhere to rest their heads.