Record Summer for International Tourism Industry

New Zealand has hosted a record number of international visitors during the summer.

Figures just released by Statistics New Zealand show 239,203 international visitors arrived in New Zealand during March, an increase of 5.4% on the same time the year before.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive George Hickton says the New Zealand tourism industry has had an outstanding summer with 1,302,473 international visitors in the country between November and March, 50,767 more than the same time the summer before.

And Mr Hickton says operators are reporting strong bookings for April which shows that the peak summer period is now extending out into the industry’s shoulder season.

“Through some of our campaign work we have been trying to encourage some visitors to come to New Zealand outside the peak periods to extend the busy season for the tourism industry.”

The Australian and UK markets contributed most significantly to the increase in international visitor arrivals while the Chinese market is continuing a thirteen month upward climb.

The Australian market grew 8.8% in March 2007 and has increased 5.4% since the start of Tourism New Zealand’s What’s On campaign in August 2006.

Mr Hickton says that the campaign is concentrated on building travel outside of peak times and has been bolstered by strong support from regional tourism organisations in Dunedin, Christchurch, Queenstown, Rotorua, Wellington and Auckland.

“The campaign promotes events and activities, particularly in the regions, to encourage Australians to travel in spring and autumn,” says Mr Hickton, “and from the March results and April forecast, it’s working.”

UK visitor numbers grew by 9.0% on the same month last year, confirming UK operators reports of increased business compared with the early months of 2006. The growth is attributed to a significant 100% Pure New Zealand advertising presence and high satisfaction from visitors that has led to them recommending the destination to others. Monthly growth averaged 5.3% from September 2006 to February 2007.

“The highs and lows of the tourism seasons have been an issue for the New Zealand tourism industry but there are indications that the activity we’ve been undertaking to address that is taking effect,” says Mr Hickton.

Visitor Arrivals March 2007

Australia 85,698 up 8.8%
UK 33,833 up 9%
USA 24,012 down -6.4%
Canada 5,520 up 3.4%
China 8.878 up 18.8%
Korea 9,752 up 6.3%
Japan 13,179 down -10.9%

ENDS

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