I am just wondering why so many bars and restaurants in Auckland close down for three weeks over the Christmas and New Year period? Last week (not on a public holiday) I had to visit five cafes before I could get a coffee, and on the weekend I phoned or visited four different restaurants before finding somewhere for dinner.
I would have thought this would be a busy time for the hospitality industry as people would want to socialise more and cook less. I realise many people go away, but tens of thousands of Aucklanders decided against a wet week in the Bay and opted to stay home. During the Rugby World Cup, we were trying to convince tourists Auckland was a thriving, vibrant, exciting, first-world, international tourist destination.
I believe any reputation and momentum gained then is well and truly dead now.
