A surge in Chinese visitor numbers has helped New Zealand record
a 3.0 per cent increase in total visitor arrivals for the month of
November.
Arrival data released by Statistics New Zealand on
Tuesday shows that 14,875 Chinese visitors arrived in New
Zealand during November, an increase of 34.5 per cent on November
2009 and an all-time record for Chinese visitors in a November
month.
South Korea
(up 41.3%), India (up
23.9%) and Japan (up
4.3%) also grew strongly, contributing 17,200 visitors between them
during November - an increase of 2,664 on the same month last
year.
Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler said the
continued growth from Asia had outweighed the 13.6% drop in
arrivals from the UK during November. The UK contributed
21,175 visitors in November this year, compared to 24,518 in
November 2009.
Australian
arrival numbers for November remained consistent with last year, up
0.1 per cent in November 2010 compared to the same month last year,
and US
arrivals rose 2.0% in November over the same period last year.
"The Asian economies continue to grow at an impressive rate and
the region will remain New Zealand's fastest growing source of
international visitor arrivals," Kevin Bowler said.
"In the year to November arrivals from China have been phenomenal, showing growth of 15
per cent. We've had 120,222 Chinese arrivals in the past 12 months,
and the continued growth is great news for New Zealand tourism
operators in the lead up to Christmas and the summer peak tourism
season."
The most recent International Visitor Survey released by the
Ministry of Economic Development's Tourism Strategy Group,
indicates holiday visitors from China spent $3,073 each while in
New Zealand inthe year to September. The average spend for all
holiday visitors to New Zealand in the year to September 2010 was
$2,840.
Kevin Bowler said further growth was expected in Asia with new air links opening
in 2011, including a new China Airlines route linking Taipei to
Auckland and a Jetstar service from Singapore to Auckland.
Earlier this month, Thai Airways announced plans to increase
flights on its Bangkok to Auckland route, from five per week to
seven in July 2011. Other new routes opening next year include an
AirAsia X direct service between Kuala Lumpur and Christchurch, and
a China Southern Airlines service from Guangzhou, in Southern
China, to Auckland.
International Visitor Arrivals November
2010:
| Country |
Arrivals for Nov |
Change from Nov 2009 |
Arrivals full year to Nov |
Change for full year to Nov |
| Australia |
84,625 |
+0.1% |
1,115,408 |
+4.4% |
| USA |
19,150 |
+2.0% |
191,902 |
-1.6% |
| UK |
21,175 |
-13.6% |
237,909 |
-7.8% |
| China |
14,875 |
+34.5% |
120,222 |
+15.0% |
| Japan |
8,375 |
+4.3% |
88,324 |
+12.0% |
| South Korea |
6,175 |
+41.3% |
67,094 |
+27.9% |
| Germany |
8,015 |
-0.9% |
65,221 |
+1.9% |
| Canada |
5,050 |
+2.6% |
49,082 |
+1.1% |
| Total |
226,455 |
+3.0% |
2,520,725 |
+3.3% |