Business will be booming in Arrowtown during the Michael Hill New Zealand Golf Open later this month.
"People come a few days early and stay a few days after the golf finishes," Arrowtown General Store owner Hannah Crisp said.
"We definitely see an increase in trade."
Ready-made meals were particularly popular as spectators rented homes for the week but didn't want to cook.
"We tailor our business and sell a lot of picnics for people to take to the golf," she said.
The weeks leading up to the golf will be spent restocking for the influx in customers. All staff would be doing extra hours that week, she said.
The Gold Nugget shop manager Irene Bailey said Arrowtown was noticeably busier during the golf open.
"We're happy it's coming again and are looking forward to it. There's more people and more people wanting to buy souvenirs. Everybody wants to take a bit of Arrowtown home," she said.
The Willows Cafe and Bar owner Cif Walker said the open was a great boost for Arrowtown.
"It's one of the few events on in Arrowtown. Arrowtown often gets left out, so it's nice to have this to help business," she said.
Arrowtown Viking Lodge Motel manager Sheelagh Slaws said every business in Arrowtown would benefit from having the open in the village.
"We are full because of it and we have been for quite some time. People are coming back every year. You can't fault it. It gives Arrowtown a whole weekend of new people shopping and eating and drinking in town. It's huge," she said.
Arrowtown Holiday Park manager Greg Hartshorne said the campground was "very heavily" booked.
"We have no rooms left since the dates were announced. Last year, people re-booked for this year, then there was a mad panic when they changed the dates and everybody rang us up to change bookings, so we had to juggle it around a bit," he said.
Most of the visitors were repeat customers.
"I've been at The Hills for the past two [opens] and it's always a great spectacle. It's great for Arrowtown," he said.
Millbrook director of golf Brian Spicer said accommodation there had already been booked for a conference before the open's dates were confirmed.
However, the resort's spa and golf facilities would get a boost from the influx of people in Arrowtown.
Julie Hughes, of Arrow Events, said she would be holding events during the open for those wanting a break from the greens.
They were also aimed at getting visitors to spend more time in the village itself and not just at The Hills and in Queenstown.
A ladies' lunch will be on at the Arrowtown Hall at noon on January 29.
The $50 lunch will include entertainment and a fashion show, featuring graments from Arrowtown businesses.
A "huge" market would also be held at the Village Green on January 30 from 9am to 5pm, she said.
A variety of Arrowtown businesses will sell goods, including food and art.
Arrowtown Village Association chairman Jim Feehly said the open was great for Arrowtown and the Queenstown Lakes district.
"It has a great financial impact on Arrowtown and is great business and publicity for the area. The exposure it gives is great and attracts people who would not otherwise come here," he said.
