Palmerston North is one of New Zealand's top 10 tourist destinations for the second year running. The top 20 tourist destinations in New Zealand were collated by Wotif.com with Palmerston North rated tenth based on accommodation using the popular website.

The city was rated higher than Nelson, Tauranga, Wanaka, Hanmer Springs and Mount Cook. There is just under one million people living within a two hour drive from Palmerston North including parts of Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Wairarapa, Horowhenua and Manawatu. Palmerston North is centrally located in the southern part of the North Island popular for conferences, reunions along with educational institutions. Don't overlook Palmerston North when considering a motel purchase.