Nelson Weekly Your Community Newspaper
Tuesday 8 January 2013
Lets Learn NZ Superstock Something new Champs in 2013 Page
Jazz fest hits the right note
Page 11 - 13 17-19
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Tourists vital to summer economy Phillip Rollo Despite glorious summer weather, local camping groups and motels say bookings are only slightly up on previous years. Nelson’s Motel Association of New Zealand spokesperson John Gilbertson says Christchurch tourists still play a vital role to Nelson summer economy with 80 per cent of the visitors to Nelson coming from Christchurch. His dates show that visitor numbers to the region had not increased during the past six years and with some earthquake affected Canterbury residents still waiting to find out insurance payouts, it was hard to predict when they will make their way to Nelson. “There are the traditional people that come on holiday during their statutory holidays anyway but what will be interesting is to see what happens from here,” he says. “Will the peo-
ple who spent New Year’s working come to Nelson or will they go to Brisbane or Queenstown? We need to get the message to the people of Christchurch that there’s plenty of availability, the weather is fantastic and come on up.” Nelson Tasman Tourism say most tourism operators are busier this summer compared with last year, which was expected after the earthquake and flooding. All i-Sites have been seeing similar levels to last year with some reporting slightly higher numbers of visitors. Some camping ground managers and owners agreed that the improved weather had made visiting Nelson more appealing, but some had seen fewer visitors than in previous years. Quinney’s Bush owners say visitor numbers were down on last year even though the
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Laura Inglis, 10, is cheered on by team mate Nikita Aitkenhead, 10 and sister Kiera Inglis, 9, during the ‘kids go racing’ moon hopper event held at the races on Friday. Photo: Sinead Ogilvie.
Sun shines on race days Sinead Ogilvie Thousands of people turned out for the Nelson Harness Racing Club annual summer meet over the weekend. From the fashionable to families, the two days of racing entertained
over 7000 people in the sun over two days. The horses were only half the fun with people enjoying picnics, contests and entertainment throughout the day and Nelson Harness Club President John McKenzie says the popular event was a huge success this year.
“We were absolutely thrilled to bits with the support of the event by Nelson people and holidaymakers. The grandstand was chock-a-block and it was great to see families enjoying themselves.”
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