Holidaymakers will be heading for popular North Otago holiday haunts again this summer.
Holiday parks in the district are reporting solid patronage leading up to the busiest period, which begins on Boxing Day.
Tony Ritchie, of Lake Ruataniwha Holiday Park in Twizel, said things at the camp were "tickety-boo on a beautiful day". The camp was relatively full, but he was braced for an influx of holidaymakers early next week.
"On the 26th it becomes State Highway 1 leading into the camp," he said.
A new seven-bedroom lodge had been completed this year and the motel was now in its third year.
The camp was family-oriented, with some families keeping the same spot for 15 years straight, he said.
Santa will hand out lollies to children at the camp on Christmas Day, and children's activities, including a bouncy castle, sack races and colouring competitions, are also planned over the holiday period.
Omarama Top 10 Holiday Park owner Arda Booiman said the number of bookings was similar to previous years.
Many people had claimed their summer spots on Labour Weekend, in late October, with some deciding to book their place for summer at the Omarama camp ground even earlier, she said.
Much landscaping had been done to keep the park tidy, and cabins had been upgraded, she said.
Kurow Holiday Park owner Joan Chamberlain was another who said the number of bookings had remained on par with previous years, with only a few unclaimed spots at the camp ground remaining.
She estimated about 75% of the park's holiday custom was repeat family business.
Many of those families shifted their campervans to the site at Labour Weekend, ahead of the opening of the fishing season, with others preferring to leave them there all year, she said.
Moeraki Holiday Park owner Theresa Kiener said the camp had been quiet during the day but busy at night.
Some families returned every year, but those spending the holiday season at the park tended to vary, she said.
Areas could be reserved, but parking vans on site before a holiday was not allowed.
