Kiwi's Staying home this summer

August 16, 2006

More Kiwis expected to stay at home and head to beach baches this summer, according to leading NZ accommodation operator

The latest round of terrorism in the UK and the US will lead to more Kiwis deciding to stay home in the safety of New Zealand, a leading accommodation operator said today.

Leslie Preston of Bachcare NZ said as holiday homes were the preferred accommodation type for New Zealanders, they expect to see an increase in bookings from the domestic market.

``This should be most noticed during school holidays, long weekends, and the Christmas summer break,’’ she said.

``In terms of international visitors, for those who continue to travel, we would expect to see increase interest from people who want to retreat to the safety of destinations far away from the world's turmoil."

Preston was recently named the entrepreneur marketer of the year at the NZ Sales and Marketing Institute Awards.

The institute said Leslie’s creation of a total bachcare service for owners and renters had hit a chord with holiday-makers nationwide. Bachcare manage 250 holiday homes all over New Zealand.

They have also been named a finalist in the New Zealand Tourism Awards 2006.

Preston said the holiday home rental market reached a peak two summers ago but it eased last summer. This was a result of the uncertainty caused by rising interest rates and rising petrol prices.

``Both holiday home renters and even owners pulled back on going away due to the higher petrol costs and to a lesser extent interest rates.

``However, going away to the good old Kiwi bach to recharge and relax is too much a part of the Kiwi psyche to forever disappear.

``We have seen an increased interest in the last month or so as Kiwis realise that higher interest rates and petrol prices are here to stay, and people have come to accept this. While they are holding back in some areas, Kiwis still need to get away from the pressures of every day live and kick back with a sausage and a glass of wine on the deck at the beach."

A survey at Whitianga last summer showed renting a holiday home is still the preferred accommodation type. Convenience and freedom were the main reasons, followed by comfort and relaxation.

ENDS

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