Australia has again shown its importance to New Zealand's
tourism industry, with Australian arrivals helping to hold up
declines from other markets.
Recognising this, Tourism New Zealand has moved forward $2
million in campaign spending to run its 'What's On' campaign in
Australia during summer for the first time.
The
'What's On' television
commercials will start in Australia on Boxing Day.
'Australia is holding up at the moment but we cannot take any
market for granted in the current climate. The additional spending,
and a new look to the campaign, focusing on experiences, should
help to keep us top of mind for those Australians still planning
summer breaks," Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton
said.
Statistics New Zealand figures out today showed visitor arrivals
dropped 4.2 per cent in November compared with the same month last
year.
Arrivals from Australia rose 1.8 per cent in November,
offsetting sharp declines in arrivals from most major Asian
markets. Overall, arrivals from Europe held reasonably steady, down
2.4 per cent.
"The arrivals figures for November are very much in line with
expectations and again show the importance of the Australian market
in the current economic climate," George Hickton said.
Tourism New Zealand is planning a burst of marketing activity in
the New Year, with campaigns running in the US, China and the
UK.
"With around 900 million people still travelling worldwide,
there are enough people to fill New Zealand many times over. We
just need to make sure we keep building our share of those
travellers by keeping New Zealand's profile up so that people
wanting a holiday will think of New Zealand," George Hickton
said.
International Visitor Arrivals October 2008:
- Australia 77,198 up 1.8%
- UK 24,750 down 7%
- USA 21,164 down 1.8%
- Canada 5,786 up 5.3%
- China 11,462 down 17.5%
- Korea 4,994 down 43.1%
- Japan 8,184 down 45.8%
For further information contact:
Cas Carter, Corporate Communications, Tourism New Zealand
Mob 021 915 410
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