NZ Tourism Growth Great for Kiwi Travellers

Media release
September 15 2016

Flight Centre Say NZ Tourism Growth Great for Kiwi Travellers

New Zealand’s international tourism is predicted to experience significant growth in the next six years which Flight Centre NZ say is great news for Kiwi travellers.

According to statistics released by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, visitor arrivals to New Zealand are expected to grow 5.4 per cent a year, reaching 4.5 million visitors in 2022 from 3.1 million in 2015.

David Coombes, Flight Centre NZ managing director says the current ‘golden era of travel’ that Kiwis are experiencing has a lot to do with growth in tourism numbers and many airlines recognising a need to meet the inbound demand in the New Zealand market.

“In the last 12 months we’ve seen a significant influx of new carriers, routes and increased capacity ex New Zealand, this is good news for Kiwi travellers as its driving competition and as a result increased affordability and accessibility. Essentially meaning Kiwis have the opportunity to travel further and more frequently for less.”

Flight Centre NZ say this is evident in recent record low fares they’ve advertised including return to the UK from $1,349, return to Hawaii from $699 and return to Los Angeles from $899. Earlier this year Flight Centre also had return airfares to Europe for as low as $999.

Flight Centre NZ say that while Australia, Europe and the States remain top picks for Kiwi travellers, Asia is tipped as a strong growth area. This is largely due to the growth in inbound visitors and the number of new carriers entering the market (with more predicted in the near future).

According to a report released by Auckland Airport passenger volume from Asia has shown 11 percent growth in the first six months of the 2016 financial year.

Flight Centre NZ say greater accessibility and affordability to Asia is exciting news for Kiwi travellers as it takes them to the heart of many international travel hubs.

“Once in Asia the world is the oyster for many Kiwis, they have access to even more airlines and are only one flight away from the UK/Europe, North, South and Central America and the Middle East.”

New Zealand’s largest travel show, Travel Expo, is being held at the ASB Showgrounds this weekendSeptember 17 and 18 and Coombes says there will be some amazing deals available over the weekend.

“We’ve seen some stellar deals come through already this year but this weekends Travel Expo will give Kiwis the opportunity to book even more amazing holidays for travel to all parts of the globe.”

Coombes goes on to say that it’s hard to know how long this ‘golden era’ of travel will continue so his advice would be for Kiwis to make the most of the record low airfares and travel as far and wide as possible. This weekend’s Travel Expo will provide a great opportunity to do this.”

Hosted by Flight Centre NZ Ltd, Travel Expo provides expert travel advice, holiday packages, cruises and exclusive flight discounts, all available on the day.

- ENDS -

© Scoop Media