Welcome to the Destination Kaikōura Data Dashboard, providing real-time data & analytics helping stakeholders & local businesses understand the trends and dynamics of tourism in our beautiful region.
April 2025 Insights:
Kaikōura sees strong April bookings, outpacing national average
April was a positive month for tourism in Kaikōura, with strong growth in guest nights across both domestic and international markets, and occupancy rates in commercial and short-term rentals increasing ahead of the national average. Note that Easter fell into April this year, whereas it occurred mostly in March last year, partially explaining the uplift in domestic accommodation activity.
Contrasting performance indicates shift to day trips, and pre-booked stays
While domestic card spend and domestic guest nights both grew at the same rate (+15% YoY), international card spend declined slightly (-2% YoY), in contrast to a strong increase in international guest nights (+20% YoY). This divergence suggests a decrease in average card spend per visitor or a lower proportion of day trips. Notably, international card spend on accommodation products saw a sharp decline (-35% YoY), which likely reflects a shift toward pre-booked accommodation rather than an overall drop in spending.
A shift to self-catering and retail spend
International card spending on food and beverage (F&B) serving and F&B retail grew at a similar pace. In the domestic market, however, card spend on F&B serving products (+12% YoY) was significantly outpaced by growth in retail F&B, indicating a potential shift towards self-catering. Additionally, card spend on 'retail other' increased strongly in both the international (+42% YoY) and domestic (+14% YoY) segments.
Card spending jumps with Easter timing, Kaikōura boost
Card spend by Cantabrians rose notably by +18% YoY, likely influenced by the Easter holiday falling in April this year, alongside Kaikōura’s popularity as a destination. In-region card spend also grew significantly from the Wellington (+24% YoY) and Otago (+43% YoY) markets.
US spend lags national average, Australian outperforms
International market card spend growth moderated. While spending by U.S. visitors remained positive (+18% YoY), it lagged behind the national average of +31% YoY. On a more positive note, Australian card spend rebounded with a +5% YoY increase, outperforming the national average of -1% YoY.
Occupancy growth marks rise in guest arrivals and stay length
Occupancy growth outpaced the national average across both commercial and short-term rental segments. Commercial accommodation occupancy rose by +7%pt, driven by a +16% YoY increase in guest nights. This growth resulted from a +7% YoY increase in guest arrivals and an +8% YoY rise in average stay length. Guest night growth was led by the international market (+20% YoY), with domestic growth close behind (+15% YoY).
Holiday parks and small motels drive occupancy gains
The strongest occupancy gains were observed in holiday parks and campgrounds (+8%pt YoY), as well as small motels (up to 20 stay units), which increased by +9%pt, reaching a high of 73% occupancy. Large motels experienced a more modest rise of +3%pt. Small motels saw equal guest night growth from both domestic and international visitors (+16% YoY). Meanwhile, holiday parks and campgrounds experienced outstanding international guest night growth (+51% YoY), compared to more moderate domestic growth (+14% YoY).
Kaikōura outpaces national growth with rising tourism jobs
Tourism-related employment in Kaikōura grew significantly in April, up +3% YoY, well above the national average of 0% YoY. Within the sector, employment in travel and tour services rose markedly (+21% YoY), as did employment in accommodation (+8% YoY). Additionally, filled jobs in recreational services doubled compared to April 2024, marking a substantial increase in activity for the month.