Welcome to the Tourism Waitaki Data Dashboard, your gateway to understanding the trends and dynamics of tourism in our region.
Here, we provide real-time data and analytics to help stakeholders, local businesses, and curious visitors gain a deeper understanding of Waitaki’s tourism landscape.
August 2025 Insights
Waitaki sees strong visitor spending and accommodation gains
August was a positive month for Tourism Waitaki. Domestic card spend increased (+3% YoY), and international card spend grew strongly (+25% YoY). Commercial accommodation was buoyant, with guest nights increasing notably (+8% YoY) and occupancy up. This growth was notable in the hotel sector, which saw gains in both domestic and international guest nights. Tourism-related employment for the month grew slightly (+3% YoY).
Comparing spend patterns for domestic and international visitors
The variation between the increase in total domestic card spend (+3% YoY) and the domestic guest night increase of -3% YoY suggested that either average spend had increased, or there was a higher prevalence of day trip visitation. Conversely, the international card spend grew strongly (+25% YoY) when contrasted with the increase in international guest nights of +31% YoY suggested the opposite; a marginal decrease in average spend, or a lower prevalence of day trip visitation.
Domestic visitors lean toward self-catering, international visitors dine out
Card spend for the Waitaki Region showed positive growth in August for both domestic (+3% YoY) and international (+25% YoY) card spend. When segmenting spend by product, food and beverage serving decreased for the domestic market (-4% YoY) and increased significantly for the international market (+30% YoY). When contrasted with food and beverage retail (domestic: +1% YoY, international: +13% YoY), this indicated a preference among domestic visitors for self-catering, and for international visitors to dine out in Waitaki.
Domestic spend grows faster than average, aligns with similar RTO regions
Domestic card spend increased by +3% YoY, ahead of the national average (+1% YoY), and was in alignment with similar-sized RTO regions for domestic card spend (Hurunui and Central Otago, both +3% YoY). All significant domestic visitor markets (representing 86% of domestic card spend) grew in August (Canterbury: +1% YoY, Otago: +6% YoY, Southland: +4% YoY).
International card spend surges, led by Australia, UK, Asia
International card spend grew strongly by +25% YoY. While this was in alignment with Timaru (+28% YoY), a similar-sized RTO region for international card spend, Central Otago (+59% YoY) and Hurunui (+53% YoY) both recorded significantly stronger growth. Australia (+42% YoY), the UK (+49% YoY), and the 'Rest of Asia' category (excluding China, Japan, and Korea, +62% YoY) all surged as significant markets for international card spend in August, representing a combined 81% of international card spend.
Guest arrivals lift Waitaki's August accommodation performance despite added capacity
Commercial accommodation for the Waitaki Region was buoyant in August, with most key metrics showing positive growth, including occupancy (+2%pt. YoY) and guest nights (+8% YoY). Guest arrivals (+7% YoY) were the primary driver of the increase in guest nights, and an increase in available stay units (+6% YoY) partially offset this growth when calculating occupancy. Comparable South Island RTO regions showed mixed results for domestic guest nights (Marlborough: -3% YoY, Timaru: +9% YoY), whilst international guest nights showed a more cohesive pattern (Southland: +31% YoY, Dunedin: +17% YoY).
Hotels maintain growth while lodges pivot internationally
When segmenting commercial accommodation by type, guest nights grew strongly for hotels (+23% YoY), primarily driven by guest arrivals (+19% YoY) and supported by an increase in average stay length (+4% YoY). A breakdown of hotel guest nights by market showed strong growth from both domestic (+29% YoY) and international (+13% YoY) visitors. Separately, a significant market shift was observed in lodges and boutique accommodation, with international guest nights (+207% YoY) more than doubling the August 2024 figures, whilst domestic guest nights declined by -63% YoY.
Waitaki sees steady tourism job gains, accommodation surges
Tourism-related employment grew by +3% YoY in August, which was ahead of comparable South Island RTO regions such as Fiordland (+2% YoY), Hurunui (0% YoY), and the Mackenzie Region (+2% YoY). An analysis of employment in significant tourism-related industries in Waitaki showed food and beverage services remained stable (0% YoY), while accommodation grew by +13% YoY. Travel and tour services declined by -14% YoY.
