There were 804,200 visitors to Northland last summer and 818,500 in 2023\/2024.<\/p>\n
Kai Iwi Lakes in Northland’s Kaipara are a popular summer tourist destination. Photo \/ Susan Botting, Local Democracy<\/p>\n
Northland Inc acting head of destination Amy Lang said the organisation did not have forecast figures for this summer, but bookings looked strong and tourism operators were feeling positive.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the summer, we generally see visitors heading to Northland\u2019s amazing beaches, exploring the ocean and waterways with boat cruises in the Bay of Islands and places like [Kaipara\u2019s] Kai Iwi <\/a>Lakes proving popular.\u201d<\/p>\n Four out of five visitors to Northland in summer are Kiwi.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, international visitation remains strong, and often this audience continues to travel Northland throughout summer and into the autumn months,\u201d Lang said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe international market is generally strongest from February onwards.\u201d<\/p>\n Lang said visitors spent about $1.2 billion in the Northland economy each year.<\/p>\n Houhora Heads (Wagener) Holiday Park manager Chonelle Combrinck said the campground was fully booked from December 27 to about January 3, with heavy demand continuing after that.<\/p>\n About a thousand people would be staying at the large campground, which is partly owned by Far North District Council, during the summer peak, and extra French and German backpackers on working holiday visas were employed in response.<\/p>\n Combrinck said camping was popular because it was still an affordable holiday.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a great, healthy family holiday,\u201d Combrinck said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s lovely to see families enjoying themselves. For some children, it will be their first time fishing this summer.\u201d <\/p>\n Combrinck said 45% of guests returned year after year, coming from Auckland and Northland, including Kait\u0101ia<\/a> and Kerikeri<\/a>.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Far North Taupo Bay Holiday Park manager Cora Urlich said guests at her family\u2019s campground near Mangonui had booked to stay a week longer than usual this year, into the second week of January.<\/p>\n The campground was fully booked from December 27, with around 500 visitors.<\/p>\n Urlich said guests typically also came from Auckland and Northland.<\/p>\n Houhora Harbour. Photo \/ Susan Botting, Local Democracy<\/p>\n