The recently opened Toitu Otago Settlers Museum is making positive progress towards its new higher attendance target after more than 7000 visitors flocked in since last Friday, organisers say.
The museum previously attracted about 65,000 visitors a year, and has been closed for the past two years as its $37.5 million redevelopment project was completed.
Museum director Linda Wigley said the museum had already made a ''fantastic start'' towards its new 180,000 annual attendance target, and the primary school summer holiday was likely to further boost attendance.
About 7000 visitors had arrived between pre-opening celebrations last Friday and Tuesday this week.
Since the museum had formally reopened on Saturday, about 2000 people a day had attended over the weekend and strong attendance was continuing.
Many positive comments were coming in from visitors, much of it reflected in small notes the public had been able to place on a sculpture at the south end of the museum complex, she said.
The museum's popular Pixie Town display and Santa were adding to public interest.
