The All Blacks, Black Ferns and Wellington Phoenix are doing their bit to help the capital's hospitality sector during a tough winter of trading. Photo: Jack Grant/ActionPress
Wellington's hospitality sector is welcoming today's sold-out Black Ferns and All Blacks double-header, in the midst of an extremely quiet winter that some say is the worst since the pandemic.
Both the rugby and next weekend's Wellington Phoenix versus Wrexham AFC football fixture were "driving strong bookings across the city", said Hospitality New Zealand chief executive Steve Armitage, with the capital's venues gearing up for some of their busiest days of the season.
Winter had been a "mixed bag for many" in the capital he added, and the sector was "looking forward to seeing Wellington's bars, restaurants and cafes buzzing this weekend" as major events bring people into the city.
A Wellington hotelier said an uptick in bookings driven by the rugby were a "welcome change".
Local Hospitality NZ branch president Manjit Singh, also the general manager of Quest on Johnston, said accomodation providers' revenue was probably down by more than 40 percent on 2023, and 55 percent down on the pre-pandemic years.
"Winter has been pretty hard to be honest. There's been hardly any events. Travel in the corporate and the government sector has been very minimal, especially the government sector.
"So it's been fairly slim pickings, low average occupancy, extremely low rates - an average rate in the heart of the city at the moment is about, you know, $120 to $150.
"So we've been seeing lower occupancy and much lower average room rates as well."
US actors and Wrexham owners Rob McElhenney, left, and Ryan Reynolds celebrate after their team won through to the English Football League after beating Boreham Wood, on 22 April, 2023. Photo: AFP
This weekend was markedly different however, she said, although overall rates were still down by a third.
"We're seeing strong bookings, increased room rates and that electric energy that only comes with major events. After a long time, the Quest on Johnston is full tonight and tomorrow and there has been an increase in rates. I'm hearing that from a lot of our members as well."
Armitage said tonight's tests and next Saturday's football were the kind of drawcard events that Wellington needed.
"[They] are a real boost for the sector and show just how important a solid events calendar is to Wellington's economic and social vibrancy.
"It's always great to have something that encourages people to head out, catch up with friends, and support local."
Singh agreed, but said more drawcard events were needed.
"Ideally, we need to have them one after the other so we can continue to keep that momentum building."
She said the rugby was good for the sector's bottom line and a much-needed morale boost for workers, with hospitality in an "existing and surviving" mode.
"You need the energy of weekends like this and then we can feel that, yes, we're part of something that's greater and it's buzzing. It feels good to be a part of that."
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