Holiday Parks

Operators’ better use of food resources and cutting waste have been recognised as holiday parks aim for greener outcomes.

The industry celebrates its best at the Holiday Parks New Zealand Awards.

Data, decarbonisation, and the work-life balance are some of the key elements that can help holiday parks succeed, according to an industry panel.

Operators and industry are gathering in Rotorua for the annual Holiday Parks New Zealand conference.

A renewed sense of optimism is sweeping the industry with some operators investing more than $1m in upgrades.

Australia’s Hampshire Holiday Parks Limited has been granted Overseas Investment Office approval for the leasehold of five sites in Queenstown and Wānaka containing holiday parks and campgrounds.

Optimism in NZ’s holiday parks sector declined in June with almost 25% of businesses expressing pessimism – the largest dip recorded for the month in three years.

Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust has collaborated with Tasman Holiday Parks to revive a former Top 10 Holiday Park in Rotorua.

Confidence in the sector is the highest it has been since the pandemic, says HPNZ.

In a series of profiles leading up to next Thursday’s event, the Ticker talks to Russell-Orongo Bay Holiday Park, a finalist in the Māori Tourism Award.

New Zealand holiday parks generate average annual income of $1.15m each with larger properties earning more than double that, according to a sample of the industry.

Summer bookings are coming in thick and fast at Tasman Holiday Park Te Anau – and visitors are already seeing first-hand how the operator is creating a sustainable future for guests – and the business.

The acquisitive operator plans to invest in the business, bringing jobs and visitors to the Bay of Plenty.

The positive sentiment comes as the domestic market wanes from its 2020/21 highs.

Athenree Hot Springs and Holiday Park has picked up the Tourism Business of the Year Award at the 2022 Katikati and Waihi Beach Community Business Awards.

TOP 10 Hanmer Springs owners Jacqui and Dean Anderson are riding the high from their recent People’s Choice win at the recent Hospitality New Zealand Award.

After snapping up NZ assets, the company turns to refurbishment and renovation to add value.

The travel revival is bringing in some fresh challenges for holiday parks as Kiwis plan holidays overseas instead of New Zealand’s backyard, with few international visitors to fill in the gaps.

Hot pools and winter experiences are strong marketing opportunities for holiday parks.

Kiwi holidaymakers have helped keep guest nights up at pre-Covid levels for holiday parks’ busiest month, says Holiday Parks New Zealand.

Five holiday parks have reported Covid cases so far this summer – much fewer than expected, say relieved industry leaders.

The acquisitive holiday park investor snaps up another property and readies a war chest for further purchases.

Holiday park operator Tasman Tourism New Zealand is hoping to expand its portfolio of assets and create a database of potential employees to tap when the time is right.

Camp Glenorchy Eco Retreat scooped top prize at the Holiday Park NZ 2021 Awards held in Blenheim last night.

Holiday parks had not escaped the impacts of Covid but are surviving due to a strong domestic base.

Relocatable homes need to be connected to water and wastewater drainage, tent stay maximum of 50 days.

Cromwell Holiday Park has closed its doors after 30 years of operating.

Tasman Tourism has appointed Nikki Fisher to chief executive to help guide the Australian-based operator’s expansion both at home and in New Zealand.

Russell-Orongo Bay Holiday Park is providing childcare support and education programmes in an effort to diversify.

Construction of Kennedy Park Resort’s new bathroom, kitchen and laundry facilities have been completed.

Holiday Parks New Zealand is calling for Kiwis to holiday later in the summer to help the struggling tourism industry, 

After selling two holiday parks to overseas investors, TOP 10 chair Ian Smith and wife Vicki are looking for more.

The Government’s Provincial Growth Fund is providing $527,250 to replace the freshwater system at the Matauri Bay Holiday Park.

Fernland Spa in Tauranga is on the market for sale for the first time nearly 30 years.

Underinvestment in the country’s holiday parks has presented investors with an opportunity, says a new market entrant. 

The acquisition of three holiday parks by overseas investors could start a trend, say industry experts.

Owner Uwe Kroll said it was a first for a TOP 10 holiday park.

TOP 10 Holiday Parks has teamed up with Tourism Holdings-owned Britz motorhomes to open a raft of pop-up motorhome branches across the country.

Many regions reported takings on par with previous years for the same weekend, despite few international visitors remaining in the country.

Kennedy Park Resort in Napier has begun construction of a $1.75m bathroom, kitchen and laundry facility.

The Southern District Health Board is alerting people who may have been in locations in Queenstown and Christchurch that they may have come into contact with the eight case of COVID-19, a Danish tourist.

The redevelopment of Frankton Motor Camp is set to begin at the end of the month in a move that will add “much needed” camping capacity to the Queenstown region.

The winner of the Marsh Tourism Industry Champion Award takes a look at this year’s challenges and achievements.

A North Island holiday park owner has been banned as an employer and ordered to pay a record $680,350 in penalties and unpaid wage to three migrant workers.

The increasing amount of holiday park dollars spent in local communities across the country has been highlighted in a new report into regional business expenditure.

Thames Coromandel District Council-owned Tairua Campground has been leased by locals Joe Ferguson and Ruby Woodruffe.

Around 270 holiday parks professionals were in Wellington last week for the Holiday Parks Conference 2019.

Associate tourism minister Peeni Henare has called for better communication and coordination between the tourism industry and central and local government in order to combat current challenges facing the sector.

The sole South Island holiday park shortlisted has won the sector’s coveted Spirit of Hospitality award.

Associate tourism minister Peeni Henare, Tourism New Zealand’s new chair, Jamie Tuuta, and Department of Conservation boss, Lou Sanson are all on the bill for this year’s Holiday Parks Conference which starts in earnest today.