NZ Surf Pro proves a business winner for Waikato

The New Zealand Surf Pro was a winner for Waikato, delivering a boost to international visitor spending and commercial accommodation nights across the region during the competition period, new data shows.

The World Surf League Championship Tour came to New Zealand for the first time in May, with the world’s top 36 men and 24 women competing at Raglan’s famed left-hand point break alongside local wildcards Alani Morse, Tom Butland and Billy Stairmand.

Local business owners told the Waikato Times during the competition they were already riding the economic wave, with the town’s population swelling to summer highs and eateries experiencing record numbers.

That’s now been backed up by MBIE’s May regional tourism data, which shows international visitor spending across the Waikato District increased by 78% year-on-year during the competition.

An increase in domestic visitor nights in the district also translated to a 71% increase in commercial accommodation guest nights. Much of the overnight growth appeared to have been in campgrounds and holiday parks, with guest nights at those two accommodation types increasing by 116% across the wider region.