The town is "absolutely pumping" this summer, says Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty. Photo: Environment Canterbury
A Kaikōura tourism leader says the town is experiencing its busiest summer in years.
Kaikōura Information and Tourism Inc (Destination Kaikōura) chairperson Chris Sturgeon said the feedback he has received from operators has been overwhelmingly positive.
"The feedback from local operators is that it is their biggest summer since before the [2016] earthquake," he said.
There were strong numbers of international visitors, especially from the United States, Germany, United Kingdom and Asia.
"Kiwi travellers are also coming in strong numbers and we have seen packed cafés and restaurants as well as queues at local food trucks."
Sturgeon said hundreds of people had visited the revamped Kaikōura visitor centre.
Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty said the town has been "absolutely pumping".
"It's really good to see and operators seem to be doing really well. The town has felt really busy over the last few weeks."
Destination Kaikōura manager Lisa Bond said the operators she has spoken to have had strong bookings, with some running a wait list, while forward bookings are also strong.
The cruise ship Seabourn Quest visited Kaikōura earlier this month. Photo: Lisa Bond / Destination Kaikōura
She had also noticed "a lot of no vacancy signs" around the town.
The cruise ship Seabourn Quest visited Kaikōura on 8 January, which was ''a flat, calm and blue-sky day", Bond said.
"The guests that I was able to speak with all commented on how beautiful Kaikōura is and that they loved their time in port."
Seabourn Quest is scheduled to return on 30 January, with more cruise ship visits planned on 15 and 27 February.
The White Morph and Lobster Inn have reported strong accommodation bookings, especially between 26 December and 5 January, including overseas visitors are from the United Kingdom and Europe.
Ecozip staff have also reported one of its busiest summers so far, even in wake of the recent high wind event.
Destination Kaikōura opened its refurbished Kaikōura Visitor Centre in late October and has already attracted more than 25,000 visitors, manager Vicki Harris said.
"Since opening, the centre has expanded to include EcoZip, Wings Over Whales, South Pacific Helicopters and the Kaikōura Arts Society, creating a shared visitor centre hub."
She said the centre has had "a steady flow of visitors from around the world".
Popular activities include the Kaikōura Peninsula Walk, whale watching tours by boat and air, EcoZip adventures, mini golf, gin tasting, swimming with dolphins, enjoying local seafood and encounters with local wildlife.
More than 860 people were recorded at the visitor centre on 8 January, making it the busiest day since opening, Harris said.
Next month the visitor centre is launching an interactive storytelling area which will bring stories of Kaikōura to life, "from local history and culture to the people, places and moments that make our town so special".
Destination Kaikōura is a collaboration between the Kaikōura District Council and local tourism operators.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.