'Strong start' to summer in resort

Queenstown has made a bright start to the summer tourist season and operators are reporting higher visitor numbers over the Christmas-New Year period.

Destination Queenstown chief executive Graham Budd said the strong growth in visitor arrivals and guest nights throughout 2014 had continued.

''We have experienced a very strong start to the summer season and, anecdotally, some operators are reporting between a 10 and 20% growth over the prior year.''

Forecasts indicated the high level of activity would continue throughout the summer, Mr Budd said.

Tourism Industry Association hotel sector regional chairwoman Penny Clark said demand for accommodation during the holiday period was ''well up'' on the past few years.

The sector was emerging from several years in the doldrums following the global financial crisis and the strong activity would allow operators to catch up on overdue capital expenditure, Ms Clark said.

The resort's accommodation capacity had fallen in the past five years, particularly at the lower end of the market, which meant there was a ''constriction'' on supply.

Real Journeys chief executive Richard Lauder said the company's business in Queenstown during the holiday period was up about 10% on the corresponding period last year.

''It's better than expected. We were certainly forecasting growth, but perhaps around 6-7%.

''You would have to say it's booming,'' Mr Lauder said.

Much of the growth could be attributed to the strength of the Asian economies, particularly China, but a significant portion was coming from the United States and Europe, as the effect of the global financial crisis was ''wearing off''.

Queenstown Airport chief executive Scott Paterson said the airport had been busy.

The number of international flights had peaked at eight a day, more jets were flying in from Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland, and the airport's retailers were reporting ''strong sales''.