However, the fog has seemed to have lifted for the West Coast of the South Island, which saw a climb in tourist numbers over this past summer period.
But despite the tourism boom, some businesses still feel as though they have some catching up to do.
Patrick Volk, who owns and operates the Punakaiki Cafe, feels that comparing tourist destinations to other towns in the West Coast is unrealistic. This is because although towns such as Greymouth are up in visitor numbers, Volk says his cafe is still down roughly eight percent in revenue since 2019 trading numbers.
Volk also feels that tourism statistics need to be compared to 2019 – not 2020-2022 – as the world was still mid-pandemic. He also says that despite being fortunate enough to be owner operated, many people who lived and worked in Punakaiki were forced to leave the area – adding another pressure on the small tourist town.
Volk, however, is feeling positive.
“There was definitely an increase in domestic visitors because the border was closed and New Zealanders couldn't get out, so they went places they had never been and never would have gone.”
