Visitor influx good for business

Rotorua i-SITE and Visitor Centre manager Graham Brownrigg is expecting a bumper weekend. Photo / Stephen Parker

Rotorua is gearing up for a "bumper weekend" as visitors flow into town for the long weekend and locals make the most of the good weather - and that's good news for local businesses.

The city is playing host to a number of events this weekend including the North Island Karting Competition, which will feature more than 190 top drivers from across the North Island.

There will also be plenty to do at the Village Green and Lakefront as the Gypsy Travellers Fair and NZV8 Pickup Round-Up get underway while the Beerfest is on at the Okere Falls Store.

Rotorua i-SITE and Visitor Centre manager Graham Brownrigg said all indications were that Rotorua could expect a bumper three days. "Labour Weekend is invariably a very important trading time for our accommodation providers, tourism attractions, retailers and other businesses ..."

Mr Brownrigg said the number of visitors through the i-SITE over the last few days was well up on the same period last year. He said telephone and email enquiries had also been keeping the team extremely busy. "So we're anticipating very good numbers of visitors in town over the next three days."

He expected a mix of domestic visitors, particularly those from Auckland who had been exposed to the Famously Rotorua marketing campaign, but said there were also many overseas visitors in town.

Mr Brownrigg said accommodation was starting to get tight in some areas, but there were still rooms available.

Rotorua Association of Motels chairman Barry Mabey said most motels were full or had reasonably heavy bookings - and he expected them to be putting up the "no vacancy" signs before the weekend was over.

People often didn't bother booking, he said. "We will have people arriving on Saturday looking for accommodation."

Mr Mabey said they'd be running a duty motel roster, including his Pohutu Lodge, which would help people find available rooms.

Meanwhile, Metservice meteorologist Tom Adams said Rotorua had "got quite lucky" with the weekend weather. "It looks like [the bad weather] will hit right at the end of Monday."

Mr Adams said the pick of the weekend days would be tomorrow.

However, he said people should keep up to date with the forecasts.

Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer Darrin Walsh advised businesses to make the most of the holiday weekend. "Be proactive, get your business out there, market wisely and have eye-catching window displays."

Stay safe on roads, police urge drivers

If you're travelling away or staying locally this weekend the message is to stay safe on the region's roads.

Police plan to have a high visibility presence on the roads over the weekend and would be actively encouraging drivers to concentrate and make sensible decisions says Bay of Plenty road policing manager Inspector Kevin Taylor.

"The Bay of Plenty is a beautiful place so whether you're staying here, visiting or just passing through, enjoy it, don't rush it."

He said motorists in the Rotorua area needed to be aware of cyclists taking part in the inaugural Tour of the Bay of Plenty this weekend.

Approximately 300 cyclists will be riding from Rotorua to Matata on Saturday, around Lake Rotorua on Sunday and from Rotorua through the Waikite Valley on Monday.

He said the speed thresholds would be at the normal holiday threshold, so anyone who drove more than 4km/h over the permanent posted speed limit could expect to be ticketed.

The NZ Transport Agency's Harry Wilson, said planning before leaving home, together with careful and considerate driving would help people reach their destinations safely.

"Extra traffic on the road can make driving stressful and more risky, which is why we are urging people to be patient, relax, and enjoy the journey."

Mr Wilson said over the past five years, 11 people had died and another 31 were seriously injured in Labour Weekend crashes on roads in Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.

Safe travel tips

*Before hitting the road, take the time to check your vehicle is safe - check the tyres, indicators and lights.
*Allow plenty of time for travel - slow down and make the journey part of the holiday
*Take regular breaks from driving to avoid fatigue
*Avoid the busiest peak periods when highways are congested