WHITSUNDAY police have reported that the New Year's Eve revellers in Airlie Beach were generally well behaved.

Sergeant Simon Walter of Whitsunday police said yesterday that there were only a handful of arrest and just two people spent the night in the watch house.

"As always we had an increased police presence in town for the event and generally the behaviour was very good," he said.

"All of the nightclubs were at capacity or close and it was good to have a big night with not a lot of trouble."

Meanwhile, tourism operators in the Whitsundays have reported solid bookings over the festive season.

Chief Executive Officer of Whitsundays Marketing and Development Danial Rochford said all reports were showing holiday period has been one of the best in recent years. "Right across the region we have seen no vacancy signs up and visitors spending in our local shops, cafes and restaurants," Mr Rochford said.

'There is no doubt the weather gods have been shining on the region," he said.

"We also believe that a new pre Christmas marketing push into Mackay and Townsville has been successful in assisting in boosting our numbers this year which is great news for our region."

General manager of Airlie Beach Hotel Mark Bell said the weather had been fantastic which had certainly helped the day trade.

He said accommodation bookings always depended on the fall of the public holidays and he expected next year to be even better because Christmas would fall on a Thursday, making it an extra long weekend.

He said that while this year's bookings had been solid, they were a bit patchy because of Christmas and Boxing Day being during the week and the same again for the New Year.

"It dropped off just a touch and then picked up again," he said.

He said there was not the continuity of some other years.

"For the next three years, the fall of the days will certainly help us."

He said that the feedback had all been good which would always help the future of the region.

Tourism operators Ocean Rafting have also been kept busy with the increased tourist numbers.

Sales person Jane Coombes said they have been flat out since early December and they expected more great numbers next week.

Photos from New Year's Eve celebrations can be found here: