In the year to March 2022, the Manawatū visitor economy was worth over $300 million to the city and the region. This was up from $276 million in 2021, showing a strong recovery from the impacts of the pandemic.
Visitors to our region come for many reasons, to visit friends and whānau, for business and events, for sports and retail, and to enjoy our great outdoors. They support our great facilities, including cafes and restaurants, retailers and activities, our vibrant arts scene, parks and reserves, as well as experiencing our popular walking tracks and trails, wildlife experiences and beaches.
Hearing the voices of our residents helps us to better understand the local perception on the value of visitation to the region and how we can work together to increase the value we receive from visitors, to enhance the quality of life, and to ultimately create a better Manawatū for everyone to enjoy, while helping measure the ongoing impact of the Manawatū Destination Management Plan.
Click below to find out why people visit the Manawatū, our most popular visitor 'Must dos', how our 'welcoming' nature has changed and how people feel about the growth of Manawatū's visitor sector.
