Australian market injects money into tourism

794435 Media Statement

Australian market injects money into tourism industry

Friday 25 July 2008 – For immediate release

The Ministry of Tourism has released data showing spending by international visitors in the year to March 2008 increased by 2.7% reaching $6.2 billion. “In the current challenging operating environment for New Zealand tourism, it is encouraging that overall spend growth grew by nearly 3%,” said Bruce Bassett, Ministry of Tourism Research Manager.

The growth in spend was led by Australia which increased by 17% over the previous year (up $249 million to $1.7 billion). Other markets to increase were the UK (up 5.3% to $952 million) and Japan (up 5.5% to $419 million). These increases helped to offset falls in spend by other markets, including the US (down 11% to $627 million) and Germany (down 9.3% to $244 million).

“There are a number of global influences at play which are shaping tourism sector performance at present. These include economic difficulties in key markets like the UK and US, hikes in oil prices leading to increases in the cost of travel. Also, intra- Asia travel is increasing, at the expense of long haul travel to such destinations as New Zealand.

“In spite of these factors, New Zealand managed to achieve moderate growth in both visitor arrivals and in the overall spending of these visitors.”

Spending by holiday travellers was $3,285 million (down 2.5%), with those visiting friends and family being the next largest traveller type (up 5.8% to $1,256 million). Strong spending growth was recorded by business travellers (up 12.2% to $812 million) and those here for education (up 9.0% to $475 million).

Mr Bassett added that New Zealand’s diverse set of markets was a real strength of the tourism industry.

“We are not absolutely dependant on any one market but rather we can benefit from the various cycles that operate in many different markets.”

For further information on the release of International Visitor Survey data please visit the Ministry of Tourism research website

ENDS

© Scoop Media