Waitaki businesses are being encouraged to open over Christmas, New Year and other statutory holidays to cash in on a promotion aimed at attracting visitors.
An Oamaru 365 group, part of the Waitaki Tourism Association, is promoting holiday opening after criticism visitors arrive in the district to find many shops and attractions are closed during holidays.
A member of the group, James Glucksman from Pen-y-bryn Lodge, said the association had about 80 tourism-based members who were being encouraged to open.
They would be promoted in ''a publicity blitz'' to encourage people to visit the area during holidays.
Mr Glucksman said they had had people staying at the lodge during statutory holidays, commenting they would like to have shopped or taken part in an activity but it was closed.
All 80 members are being canvassed and by the end of this week, the group would know which ones would open.
They would be included in the promotion encouraging people to visit over the peak Christmas-New Year period and spend time in the town.
However, the group is also encouraging non-members to open and take advantage of extra visitors.
Having more businesses open during statutory holidays was also being supported by the North Otago Chamber of Commerce.
Waitaki business owners needed to consider the impact of closure on visitors and the impression it gave them of the town, especially when it had a limited tourism season and needed to take every opportunity offered.
