Summer Arrivals Get a Kick-Start

Summer Arrivals Get a Kick-Start

The summer peak season has kicked off better than expected for the tourism industry, with international visitor arrivals showing strong signs of recovery.

Figures released today by Statistics New Zealand show visitor arrivals were up 5.9 per cent (or 19,130 total visitors) in December 2009, compared with the same month last year.

Overall, visitor arrivals held their own for the 2009 calendar year, with only 120 fewer international visitors than in 2008.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler said the record month for arrivals reflected some economic recovery in a number of New Zealand’s key tourism markets.

“It was positive to end the year on a high, with December recording New Zealand’s highest ever visitor arrivals for a calendar month,” he said.

“Returning economic stability is leading to a rebound in some of our main visitor markets, providing some light at the end of the tunnel for many tourism operators after what was a difficult year in 2009.”

Australia continued to bolster growth, with the number of visitors from across the Tasman increasing by 106,000 (or 10.9 per cent) in the year ending December 2009. Holiday arrivals were up by almost 20 per cent to 457,000 visitors.

“Sustaining growth out of Australia will continue to be a focus for 2010. We’ve seen positive results on the back of year-round marketing activity and joint promotions with the industry over the past year.

“Funding for additional joint venture work announced by the Government in January will allow us to further build our position in Australia. Our first JV project kicks off for the ski season this weekend,” said Kevin Bowler.

After months of slower demand, the US is returning to strength with visitor arrivals up 11.7 per cent on the same month last year. Arrivals from the UK were more subdued but returned to positive territory with 1.0 per cent growth. Arrivals from continental Europe are also showing strength.

“We’re continuing to push New Zealand’s profile in these markets as interest in travel returns,” said Kevin Bowler.

International Visitor Arrivals December 2009:

• Australia 146,880 up 10.5%
• UK 39,555 up 1.0%
• USA 26,379 up 11.7%
• China 11,691 down 16.2%
• Japan 8,883 down 4.9%
• Germany 9,882 up 6.1%
• South Korea 5,643 up 8.9%
• Canada 6,723 up 1.6%

© Scoop Media