Visitor arrivals figures out today show that visits during
December helped the year end on a stronger note.
Statistics New Zealand figures showed total arrivals for
December were up 1.6 per cent, compared with the same month last
year.
Arrivals for the whole of 2008 were on a par with a year
earlier, down just 0.3 per cent.
Australian arrivals for December were up by 5.6 per cent and
China, now New Zealand's fourth-largest market for arrivals,
returned to positive territory with arrivals up 1.8%.
"As New Zealand's biggest visitor market, a positive performance
from Australia was vital in helping New Zealand to get through the
critical busy summer months," Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive
George Hickton said.
George Hickton said good air links, competitive airfares and a
new summer television campaign in Australia had all contributed to
the increased arrivals figures.
Arrivals from the USA and UK, countries which have been hard hit
by the global economic downturn thus far, also showed better than
expected results, with the US down 1 per cent and the UK down 4.5
per cent.
Tourism New Zealand is predicting long-haul markets will drop
between 10 to 15 per cent between January and March, but if a
predicted small rise in Australian numbers eventuates that could
hold the overall decline at closer to 5 to 10 per cent.
"The concern in the industry is for the period after March, when
many operators here and abroad are starting to see bookings fall
away.
"However, from Easter onwards New Zealand enters the quieter
months for tourism and that will help the industry weather further
expected declines," George Hickton added.
International Visitor Arrivals December 2008:
* Australia 132,867 up 5.6%
* UK 39,177 down 4.5%
* USA 23,625 down 0.9%
* Canada 6,615 up 0.8%
* China 13,959 up 1.8%
* Korea 5,184 down 34.2%
* Japan 9,342 down 14.4%
For further information contact:
Cas Carter, Corporate Communications, Tourism New Zealand
Mob 021 915 410
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