Restaurants around the country are feeling the pinch with pre-Christmas bookings down on previous years, a new survey suggests, with the cost of living said to blame.
The survey, commissioned by the Restaurant Association, found that more than half of the group's members reported lower-than-usual bookings for the festive season — which is usually a busy and profitable time for the hospitality industry.
Sixty-five per cent of respondents to the survey said bookings were worse than normal, 24% said it was about the same, while 11% said bookings were better than usual.
Operators spoke to the trend, which some said included fewer businesses choosing to hold external functions and slower trade during the week.
Some said diners were choosing to skip desserts and entrees at higher rates or were hosting end-of-year functions at the beach and other venues.
However, some restaurant owners told 1News they were still seeing a good turnout of customers, especially on sunny days.
The owner of Baduzzi, an Italian restaurant on Auckland's waterfront, said many patrons were in the festive spirit, though business wasn't as buzzy as it once had been.
Michael Dearth said: "People have got the Christmas crackers out, giving out gifts and drinking some wine — so yeah it's in the air."
But, "there's been a downward sort of lull, and it's not as mad as it's been in the past."
With temperatures rising and Christmas approaching, restaurants are hoping that they'll get to share in a bit more of the cheer, as the year comes to an end.
Restaurant Association spokesperson Nicola Waldron said the main reason for the decline in bookings was the cost of living pressure that many Kiwis are facing.
"We are really putting it down to the cost of living challenges, which are taking another bite out of Christmas," she said.
Several members of the public 1News spoke to said they had opted for more casual and cost-effective options for their holiday celebrations this year, like picnics.
"It's been a tough year so everyone wants to relax, have a bit of sun, and the sun's come out as well," one person said.
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