Visitor Arrivals Hold Strong for Summer Season

Visitor Arrivals Hold Strong for Summer Peak Season

New Zealand has seen a record number of arrivals in January, signalling a welcome return to growth and stability after a tough 2009.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler said Australia continued to bolster growth, with 13,000 (15.7 per cent) more Australians visiting in January compared with January 2009.

But a return to growth for two of New Zealand’s key Asian markets – Japan and South Korea – has also helped boost visitor arrivals.

Statistics New Zealand figures released today show visitor arrivals were up 5.2 per cent (or 12,622 visitors) in January 2010, compared with the same month last year.

Three Air New Zealand charter flights in January and promotional work done around the Giant Rugby Ball late last year helped Japan return to growth for the first month since September 2007.

Arrivals from South Korea were also up by almost 30 per cent, reflecting an upturn in the Korean outbound travel market which has been in decline since May 2008.

Overall figures were hit by arrivals from China, which were down 34 per cent due to Chinese New Year holidays falling in February this year.

“After many months of falling arrivals figures, both Japan and South Korea have begun to show arrivals increases on the back of improving economic conditions and consumer confidence,” said Kevin Bowler.

Arrivals from the US were stable, with 0.2 per cent growth for the month of January. Despite ongoing fragility in the British economy, arrivals from the UK also held steady with only a 0.6 per cent decline.

Kevin Bowler said Tourism New Zealand remains focused on stimulating growth in long-haul markets and those that offer the best opportunities for growth.

“Fresh activity will be launched in China and the US over the next few months. Joint-venture activity with the regional tourism organisations in Australia is giving New Zealand a continued high profile across the Tasman which should help carry growth momentum through 2010.”

ENDS

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