Over One Million Kiwis Visit Australia In A Year

Over One Million Kiwis Visit Australia In Year Ended November 2007
- Significant Increase Witnessed in Visitor Spend -

A significant surge in short-term visitor arrivals from New Zealand into Australia was witnessed in 2007. According to latest data released by Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), over one million (1,040,200) New Zealanders visited Australia between January and November 2007. This is an increase of 7 per cent visitors compared to the same period in 2006.

“We are extremely happy with the results, given our position in the market,”says Vito Anzelmi, Regional Manager – New Zealand, Tourism Australia. A strong consumer preference for an Australian holiday and increased aviation capacity has aided this growth he added. “It is encouraging to see that the surge in visitation is matched with an increase in visitor spend, up by 11 per cent from AUD 1,381,000 to AUD 1,536,000 in the year ended September 2007,” he says.

According to a Roy Morgan research, approximately 80 per cent of the New Zealand ‘Experience Seekers’ are aware of holiday options in Australia, with over 40 percent intending to visit over the next 12 months. Anzelmi adds that Tourism Australia’s key objective is to move consumers through the purchase cycle by highlighting new and evocative Australian travel experiences, for increased visitation.

Anzelmi sites that themed events such as G’Day NZ Australia Week and the introduction of special Australian holiday publications like Journey and Coastlines have strengthened consumer sentiment to choose Australia as their preferred holiday destination. On the trade front, the Aussie Specialist Programme has been scaled up with a mega famil and key events such as ATE (Australian Trade Exchange) and OZTalk Retail Conference have ensured that travel agents are aware of new products and experiences that are on offer to Kiwis traveling to Australia.

In 2008, New Zealand ‘Experience Seekers’ will continue to be targeted through trade and consumer initiatives that showcase Australian travel experiences, keeping up the momentum of visitation and maintaining New Zealand’s position as the number one market in terms of visitor arrivals for Australia.

ENDS

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