Rotorua Museum visitor numbers up 16% for September

Visitors to Rotorua Museum increased by 16% for September 2011 over the same month last year, with twice as many locals visiting the Museum.

The total number of visitors during September 2011 was 9,910 compared to 8,530 for September 2010, an increase of 16%. Admissions revenue increased by 25% for the same period.

With the opening of the new Don Stafford Wing on 3 September, thousands of Rotorua residents have taken the opportunity to visit the Museum to see the new exhibitions on display.

Museum director Greg McManus says feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

"With entry still free for Rotorua residents, a visit to the Museum is a great family outing in tough economic times."

He says as a result of Rugby World Cup 2011, it has been a very interesting month in terms of the international visitor mix.

"The number of international visitors in September was very similar to last year but we have seen a huge increase in visitors from countries taking part in the Rugby World Cup.

"Places such as France (up 1713%), Latin America (up 160%) and Canada (up 134%) have seen significant growth, with a decrease in visitors from non-rugby areas such as Germany (down 52%) and Asia (down 47%).

"Australia has also seen a decrease for the month, down 49%. For Australians travelling to New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup we suspect they are only staying in New Zealand for a few days, with their visits centred in those places that have Australian games."

Visitor numbers to the Museum from the rest of New Zealand were down for September 2011 compared to September 2010, which can be mainly attributed to school holiday timing, with one week of school holidays falling in September last year.