Winter Tourists Strain Accommodation Supply

17 June 2015

Winter Tourists Strain Accommodation Supply

One of New Zealand’s most popular winter tourist destinations has mobilised more than 300 campervans, creating 1200 new tourist beds to help meet accommodation shortfalls as it heads into its peak season.

Ohakune which has a population of just over 1,000, swells tenfold to in excess of 10,000 during winter events such as Mardi Gras with many tourists unable to find beds inside the township or surrounding areas.

While the event has grown in recent years to become one of New Zealand’s most popular street parties, tourists struggle to find accommodation, leaving Ohakune, National Park, Ratehi and Rangatua, bursting at the seams.

Event organisers desperate to accommodate the local and international tourists who flock to the area have now looked for innovative ways to increase bed numbers and tourist infrastructure outside of permanent hotels, backpackers and hostels.

With the Mardi Gras just weeks away local rental firm JUCY has been called in to supply over 300 campervans as required at discounted rates for tourists to ensure the ongoing success of the event, says JUCY CEO Tim Alpe.

“The vehicle mobilisation is the largest of its kind in New Zealand and represents a shift in the accommodation model away from the provision of permanent facilities which aren't fully utilised during the off season.

“It’s wonderful to see how successful the Ohakune Mardi Gras has become and the huge number of tourists it attracts to the area. We want to make sure that those tourists have the best experience possible to reflect positively on New Zealand’s winter destination brand,” he says.

Alpe says as part of the temporary infrastructure upgrade there will be a campground for JUCY customers to use free of charge.

-Ends-

© Scoop Media