China Drives Record Month for Visitor Arrivals

China Drives Record Month for Visitor Arrivals

Strong growth in visitor arrivals from China helped make last month New Zealand’s most successful August on record in terms of international visitor arrivals.

Statistics New Zealand figures out today show arrivals for the month were up 4.3 per cent to 168,081 international visitors; 6,981 more than in August 2009. Arrivals for the year-ending August 2010 were also up 4.3 per cent to 2.51 million arrivals.

China led the overall growth trend, with arrivals from this market increasing 113 per cent to 9,746 visitors.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler says growth reflects China’s return to strength, confirming the market’s recovery from the impacts of last year’s Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu outbreak and a general return to confidence.

“It’s positive to see Chinese arrivals returning to the levels we saw in 2007. We are in a good position to drive further growth out of this market with upcoming campaign activity aimed at keeping visitor arrivals growth steady through till Christmas.”

Arrivals from Japan and South Korea were also up strongly, reflecting a general improvement in the Asian markets following last year’s Influenza A (Swine Flu) impacts.

Australia was down slightly (0.4 per cent) but this is off the back of record arrivals in August 2009, when arrivals were up 11.6 per cent. Australian arrivals to year end August were up 8.5 per cent.

“We are planning further activity for the coming months that will help drive travel over summer. Joint venture activity with the Regional Tourism Organisations is also about to kick-off in Australia, which will see New Zealand become very visible in the lead up to the peak season,” Kevin Bowler said.

With UK arrivals down 15.2 per cent in August, the UK is still seeing the lingering effects of the economic downturn and a preference for destinations closer to home.

“There is also some feedback from market that backpacker travel has declined in line with a decrease in the number of young Britons taking up working holiday visas in Australia,” says Kevin Bowler.

“In the US, we have seen some great short term deals on travel, which helped boost travel last month. Travel sellers in market are reporting that consumer confidence is slowly returning and this is positively impacting travel,” he added.

International Visitor Arrivals August 2010:

• Australia 87,956 down -0.4%
• UK 8,778 down -15.2%
• USA 11,044 up 2.7%
• China 9,746 up 112.9%
• Japan 7,876 up 41.0%
• Germany 2,596 up 0.5%
• South Korea 4,708 up 12.1%
Canada 2,178 down 3.1%

ENDS

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