???1;A lot of new faces making the most of the holiday period in the Nelson and Tasman areas

The Nelson Regional Development Agency's reported strong tourism through December.

Visitor Destination manager Gisela Purcell says businesses say there are more fresh faces than regulars.

She says it's comprised of Kiwis who've recently returned to New Zealand, or what she calls "first-generation New Zealanders" -- people who immigrated here over the past decade.