Source: Radio New Zealand
123RF
Auckland hotels are sold out tonight as Metallica rocks Eden Park and the world’s largest indigenous education conference continues.
But a hotel association is warning that doesn’t mean the industry is suddenly thriving.
The city’s cultural and events agency, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, said 40,000 visitor nights were expected from Metallica fans alone.
The World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education at the Aotea Centre this week brought 3800 delegates from around the globe who will add another 16,000 visitor nights over the course of the five-day event, it said.
It means hotels are at capacity on Wednesday which would be a welcome boost for Auckland’s visitor economy, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s destination director Annie Dundas said.
“From metal militia to educators, everyone contributes to the vibrancy of our region and the strength of our visitor economy.
“The energy they bring before, during and after these events, is felt in our streets, our hotels and our hospitality venues.”
The band Metallica. Metallica
However, Hotel Council Aotearoa strategic director James Doolan told First Up while there have been a few “full out” days in the last few years coinciding with major events, occupancy rates still haven’t recovered following the pandemic.
“So that means hotels have been doing it tough, moteliers have been mortgaging their properties to stay alive, and it’s far too soon to have one good week and for all of us to start acting like all of the problems have been solved,” he said.
“Hotels and motels and restaurants, they’re not only open for one or two days a year, they’re open 365 days a year including on cold winter weeknights.”
Doolan hoped to see more concerts at Eden Park, and looked forward to the long-delayed International Convention Centre opening in February.
But he wanted local and central government to invest more in marketing to attract major events to Auckland.
Dundas said the agency shared the industry’s ambitions, and a long-term funding solution was essential.
To bridge the funding gap it was relying on temporary sources like the targeted rate that pays for developing the city centre, a budget contribution from Mayor Wayne Brown, and the organisation’s own operating funds, she said.
They’ve also welcomed the government’s recent $70 million investment to boost events and tourism.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
