Kiwis Accelerating Australia’s Tourism Growth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
15 September 2016

Kiwis Accelerating Australia’s Tourism Growth

Cheapflights Predicts School Holiday Travel to Further Boost Visitor Numbers

Kiwis are driving Australia’s visitor numbers sky high, according to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics[1]. In July alone, almost three quarters of a million visitors (716,000) travelled to Australia with the largest contingent (131,000) arriving from New Zealand. AndCheapflights expects these visitor numbers to surge even further with school holidays less than two weeks away.

The latest data from Cheapflights.co.nz shows that thousands of kiwi families are planning to take the kids overseas during the upcoming break with 90 per cent of all searches during the period for international destinations. Australia remains the favourite spot with a whopping 50 per cent of all Kiwi searches being for Trans-Tasman destinations.

Queensland’s sunny climes, beaches and theme parks remain the major drawcards for Kiwi families with the majority (61 per cent) searching for Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Sydney (20 per cent) and Melbourne (12 per cent) were the next most popular cities.

Commenting on the timeless appeal of Australia, Nathan Graham, Regional Sales Manager at Cheapflights ANZ, said: “With more Trans-Tasman routes now available, flights are more accessible and affordable – great news for Kiwi families and the Australian tourism industry.

“If you haven’t already booked your holiday there is still time. Auckland is currently the cheapest departure point with school holiday flights available to Brisbane from as little as $537.”

For those not heading across the ditch, popular international destinations included the South Pacific locations of Rarotonga (11 per cent), Nadi (9 per cent) and Apia (6.5 per cent). Further afield, Denpasar was also in the top ten.

The research also found:

• For those Kiwi families lucky enough to be getting away, a seven-night stay is most popular.

• Favourite international destinations varied by departure points with Denpasar and Los Angeles in the top 10 international destinations from Auckland and Christchurch.

• Closer to home, favourite domestic destinations for those travelling from Auckland were Christchurch, Queenstown and Wellington respectively – while Invercargill, Auckland and Christchurch were the most popular domestic searches for Wellingtonians.

• If you’re from Christchurch and holidaying at home, Wellington and Auckland were favourite domestic travel destinations.

For more tips or to search your next holiday, visit Cheapflights.co.nz.

ENDS

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