Its been a mixed third quarter for the hospitality industry, with significant rises and declines across the sector

The Restaurant Association is reporting sales in restaurants and cafes reached 1.8 billion-dollars, down 1.5-percent year on year.

However the Queenstown-Lakes region saw a standout period with 8.6-percent growth year-on-year.

But Restuarant Association Chief Executive Marisa Bidois says business is now improving across the board.

She says reports are rising of sales picking up into the end of the fourth quarter.