Tekapo Springs is reveling in a bumper summer thanks to warm temperatures, new pools and new attractions helping drive increased visitor numbers to the region.
Three new pools at the South Island tourist attraction opened on Boxing Day, the end result of a multi-million-dollar investment not only in the springs complex but in the town itself.
Proving hugely popular with locals and visitors from day one, the new pools have contributed to more than 2000 people visiting Tekapo Springs in the first half of January alone, a “significant” increase in numbers.
“We’ve definitely seen a big spike in visitors and it hasn’t slowed up at all going into February,” Tekapo Springs’ owner and managing director Karl Burtscher said.
“We’ve had fantastic weather here in the Mackenzie so the timing for the new pools couldn’t have been better. The reviews and comments we’ve been getting from both locals and tourists loving the new additions for the hot summer season have been flooding Facebook, TripAdvisor and Instagram, and our reception staff have heard plenty of good comments too.
“The pools have only been open less than six weeks so we’re working towards our official opening later this month. It promises to be a full celebration not only for locals in the region but all businesses, accommodation providers, regional I-site staff, contractors who worked on the pools and our regional tourism bodies.”
The official opening will be on February 26.
Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism Mackenzie District marketing executive Annabelle Bray said the new Tekapo Springs pools were a “great additional tourism product” for the region.
“Tekapo Springs is the only water park in our region so it’s providing visitors with something new and different to enjoy. Anecdotally I know guest nights have been very busy so far this summer and bookings are solid for the next couple of months.”
The new pools at Tekapo Springs are designed to complement three existing pools and include an 80sqm kid’s aqua play area, a 130sqm kid’s beach access pool and an 80sqm adults pool.
The new pool additions, themed High Country Tarns, each with its own distinctive shade of aqua green, are part of Tekapo Springs’ long-term growth strategy for expanding its aquatic attractions and offering a wider range of water temperatures and features.
The new pools will run through winter, depending on outside weather temperatures.
