India

Market Overview

High disposable incomes and a willingness to spend on luxury brands and big-ticket items like holidays, as well as an increasingly global mindset, are driving outbound travel from this market.

New Zealand is a popular destination among honeymooners and those seeking self-drive itineraries. Free Independent Travellers (FIT) currently make up around 60 per cent of New Zealand's Indian visitors and this sector is increasing more rapidly than group travel.

Indians prefer to visit New Zealand during their summer - April to June - making this market an important source of visitors for New Zealand's autumn shoulder season.

The Indian market has a strong Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) component (about 30 per cent of total visitors), while holiday visitors account for almost 50 per cent of arrivals. The vast majority of Indian holiday visitors will be visiting New Zealand for the first time. Three quarters combine their trip to New Zealand with another destination; 30 per cent visit Australia as well as New Zealand.

There is currently no direct air service to New Zealand from India. Indian travellers must travel via Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Sydney.

Key Statistics

International Visitor Arrivals April 2013

Year End Total 29,936 2.5%
Year End (Holiday) 14,528 4.8%
Month End Total 2,640 2.4%
Month End (Holiday) 1,168 21.5%
Total Stay Days* 1,214,640
Total Stay Days (Holiday)* 188,304
Average Length of Stay* 40.6 days
Average Length of Stay (Holiday)* 13.0 days

Market Trends

India's economy is showing signs of a slowdown in the face of the global debt crisis. With 11 interest rate increases in 18 months and growth slowing for the...

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Want to know more?

Published monthly, the International Visitor Arrivals (IVA) survey measures international visitor arrivals into New Zealand by month and by year. For more information on IVA visit Statistics New Zealand.

Published quarterly, the International Visitor Survey (IVS) is carried out by the Tourism Strategy Group. Research is based on around 5,200 interviews conducted with international visitors as they depart from Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch airports. For more information on IVS visit the Economic Development Group's website.

For more information including tourism research and data, policy, and publications please see the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.