Record Arrivals Figures, But …

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2008

Record Arrivals Figures, But …

“2007 was another record for visitor arrivals, however it softened towards the end of the year caused largely by the economic situation overseas, which leads us to be more cautious about 2008,” Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton said.

Figures out today from Statistics New Zealand showed that in the December 2007 year there were 2.466 million visitor arrivals, up 44,100 (2 percent) from the December 2006 year.

In the last decade, visitor numbers have increased by almost one million visitors.

Overall, visitor arrival numbers from some of New Zealand’s major markets showed mixed results in 2007.

Arrivals from the UK and US were showing some strain from slowing domestic house prices, rising fuel costs and higher debt servicing levels.

However, the busy US cruise market is helping to maintain numbers.

Air New Zealand’s direct flights to Vancouver, launched in November last year, have boosted arrivals from Canada – arrivals were up 15.4% in December and 4% for the year as a whole.

Japan continues to lose ground, exacerbated by New Zealand’s continued high dollar making it expensive to travel here.

However, good news continues to flow in from Australia and China.

Overall, Australia is doing extremely well with visitor numbers for the up 5.2% in the December year, particularly in the shoulders seasons of Spring and Autumn.

Last night (Sunday Feb 3) Tourism New Zealand launched its new Autumn “What’s On” campaign in Australia.

Highlights of International Visitor arrivals Year Ended December 2007

- Australia 950,206 up 5.2%
- UK 292,717 down 0.7%
- USA 216,027 down 4.3%
- Canada 47,792 up 4%
- China 120,804 up 14.3%
- Korea 99,453 down 10.7%
- Japan 121,652 down 10.8%

ENDS

© Scoop Media