Aussies On Holiday Boost May 2007 Arrivals

June 20, 2007

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Visitor Arrivals Boosted By Australian Holiday Makers

Visitor arrivals are holding up well despite a high New Zealand dollar and a traditionally quiet time in the holiday calendar.

Statistics New Zealand figures out this morning showed 140,755 visitors arrived in May, up 4 per cent, on the same month last year.

Arrivals from Australia, New Zealand's biggest visitor market, increased 4.8 per cent on last year; the holiday segment of that market increased 8.2 per cent.

"An 8 per cent lift in holiday arrivals from our biggest market, at what is traditionally one of the quietest times of the year, is great news, " Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton said.

Australia's growth in May outstripped other markets and helped bolster overall arrival numbers.

There were 2,452,187 arrivals in year ending May 2007, up 2.4% from last year.

Visitor Arrivals May 2007

Australia / 57,924 / up 4.8%
UK / 11,268 / up 2.0%
USA / 11,592 / up 4.4%
Canada / 1,926 / up 7.9%
China / 7,686 / down 3.8%
Korea / 6,228 / down 1.3%
Japan / 6,354 / down 19.1%

ENDS

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