Market Overview
Thailand is a relatively small market for New Zealand, currently
contributing around 17,000 visitors each year. However the market
is an important contributor to overall arrivals from South East
Asia.
There is strong interest from Thailand in independent and
self-drive holidays, with interest in campervan holidays
increasing. New Zealand is also a popular choice for Thai incentive
groups, with group sizes ranging from 20 to 800 people. Incentive
groups help boost visitor numbers from Thailand during winter and
the spring/autumn shoulder seasons.
Just under half (47 per cent) of all Thai visitors travel
outside New Zealand's main tourism centres. Many travel outside of
the peak summer months, with the high season for Thais being March
through until May (particularly during the school holidays), and
October.
English study tours are another important aspect of the Thai
holiday market, particularly in March and April. Family and
relatives often visit their children in New Zealand during Thai
long-weekend holidays throughout the year.
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.