South Island tourism operators are reporting solid forward bookings through summer, with international visitor numbers continuing the steady recovery seen since the border fully reopened.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa figures show Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom remain the largest international source markets. Domestic travel from the North Island has also held up, supported by direct flight capacity into Christchurch and Queenstown.

Operators in Kaikōura, Hanmer Springs, Aoraki/Mt Cook and the West Coast all reported confident outlooks for the coming months. Capacity constraints around accommodation and rental vehicles remain the most commonly cited risks rather than demand.

Travellers planning a summer trip are being encouraged to book ahead, particularly for popular activities and Great Walks where seasonal allocations sell out months in advance.