Oamaru is fast becoming one of New Zealand's tourist destinations, widely recognised now for its Victorian architecture, coastlines, artists, eccentrics, fine dining, entertainment and steampunk flair.
But over the peak Christmas and New Year period, a large number of businesses are closing their doors.
Otago Chamber of Commerce North Otago spokesman Simon Berry says Oamaru becomes a business ''ghost town'' in the summer holiday and that has to change.
He said the Chamber of Commerce was initiating discussion on how Oamaru businesses could cater to tourists' needs and dollars over the Christmas and New Year period.
''We want to bring some discussion about it and make people aware they are missing out on business,'' he said.
With limited options in Oamaru, tourists were unlikely to stay for long and spend much money, he said.
Mr Berry said getting staff over the holiday period was a challenge and an issue the chamber would be discussing at a meeting next month.
Waitaki District mayor Gary Kircher said council would work with the chamber to engage businesses and make sure a high level of service was provided over the peak holiday period. He said there was ''good business to be done'', as more tourists flocked to the district.
''We want our businesses to do well and some could be doing better when there's a lot of people around,'' he said.
Traditionally, the council shut its doors for about three weeks over December and January, but Mr Kircher said he had started discussions with management about providing a better service over that time.
''I'm pushing to have the council a bit more accessible in that time,'' he said.
The Last Post restaurant and bar closes on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day, but otherwise remains open over the busy holiday period.
Co-owner and operator Heather Ormandy said although it could be a stressful time, staff looked forward to the busy period every year.
''It's a great business time for us. We enjoy being open that time of year,'' she said.
The numbers of tourists were growing each year.
At Waitaki District Council verbal submission hearings on Wednesday, councillors heard from Tourism Waitaki events manager Jan Kennedy who presented plans and requested funding for a month-long arts festival during summer of 2014-15.
Mrs Kennedy said the new event had a primary objective to bring the arts outside, make them visible and accessible to the widest possible audience.
At the same time, she hoped that it would help develop the region as an interesting and exciting summer holiday destination, boosting visitor numbers, increasing spending and raising the profile of the area.
''Tourists are here and tourists are wanting to do things,'' she said.
The Oamaru Arts Festival could be the impetus for businesses to stay open over the Christmas and New Year period.
Mrs Kennedy said the month-long festival would have a strong visual arts focus, supported by performing and public art content.
Their submission to the Waitaki District Council was for funding assistance of $14,151 towards the festival, which had the potential to become a signature brand for the Waitaki District, she said.
''It meets all of the objectives for economic development, of community involvement and a sense of place that our region is striving for,'' she said.
