Tourism businesses are shaking in their boots ahead of February and March

With the holiday season coming to a close kiwi tourism businesses are preparing for a quiet season unlike any other.

Normally relying on international visitors to make up for the lull, some businesses are preparing for the worst.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Chris Roberts says the feeling is universal.

He says it's already slowed down considerably and others can see there aren't many bookings going forward so every operator is extremely worried.