Rotorua has been named as one of the "top trending destinations" in the world, according to Booking.com's travel predictions list.
The lakeside city joins the likes of Portland in the US, Beppu in Japan, Buenos Aires in Argentina and the Bay of Vlore in Albania.
The travel website said: "This geothermal wonderland has something to offer those chasing the water-centric trend in 2024."
It's some good news after a few tough years — with a surge in motels and backpackers being used as emergency housing during the Covid-19 pandemic.
There was a rise in violent crime and antisocial behaviour in the area — as well as the alleged exploitation of those living in emergency housing.
The iconic city joins the likes of Portland in the US, Beppu in Japan, Buenos Aires in Argentina and the bays of Vlore in Albania. (Source: Breakfast)
Last year, Mayor Tania Tapsell was elected on the promise that she would help solve the issues plaguing Rotorua.
"We're super stoked here," she told Breakfast when asked about the Booking.com list.
"Our entire Rotorua community has been working really hard to remind the rest of New Zealand what a great place we are to visit but also a great place to live.
"I feel like the luckiest mayor in the county to be part of this beautiful community."
She said that over the past year, she and the community have been working hard to get people in emergency housing out of motels and backpackers.
Tapsell said that "everybody has issues", but it is about "what you are willing to do for it".
"We're well over having a talk about it, we want to put in solutions — which is why we have a reduction in over half of the households in emergency housing motels."
She said the council has been working with agencies to make the city feel safer with "locally led" solutions.
Tapsell said that bookings in the city are going as far as 2025, with a large number of visitors arriving from the US and Europe.
"It's looking like we're gonna be booming here, it's gonna be a very busy summer for us.
"Our tourism businesses are really looking forward to getting these visitors back."
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