Some local hotel owners experienced an increase in patronage over the period.

Owner of the Golden Chain Motor Lodge, Peter Cooke said he had an average of 40 per cent capacity during that period, which was greatly up on previous years.

"There has been plenty of people around, the highway has been very busy and many people seem to be visiting to see their family during this period," he said.

Mr Cooke said the busy spell was a surprise and in previous years he had considered closing.

"This year we had people staying over Christmas where as last year there was no one here. A number of people took us up on our deal of stay two nights and get the third free," he said.

The patronage varied from overseas visitors to people heading to different parts of Australia, Mr Cooke believes heading to the coast was a popular option.

"We saw a number of people with boats and caravans that used us as a stopping point on the way to the south coast, we have extra parking room so that encourages visitors," he said.

The Nebula Hotel in Bombala Street was also slightly up on previous years recording an average of 64 percent capacity during the Christmas and New Year period.

On November 28 the Motel experienced a high of 96 per cent capacity.

Alan Meirelles, who along with his wife Marcela manage the Nebula Hotel, said it was busy during that period.

"We have three other staff, who help us when we need them and we had to call them all in a couple of times because of how full we were," he said.

Mr Meirelles believes although they had a variety of overseas and Australian visitors most only stayed the one night.

"Most people were just passing through, but the owners were pleased because the figures were up on last year," he said.

Both hotels had visitors from as far away as Germany, Scotland, Ireland and America.

The Golden Chain Motor Lodge would also like to announce that their restaurant is open from 6pm each night, bookings are essential.